Railway fish plate, it is also called rail joint or joint bar. As one of the rail components, rail joint's function is different from other rail components. Rail joint is a flat metal plate usually used to connect adjacent two rails by a number of rail bolts or railroad spikes. Traditionally, railway fish plate is drilled with some holes on the ends of the sections to be connected. There are some holes in the end of railway track, which are used to be lined up with the holes in the railway fish plate and jointed with rail bolt. In general, railway fish plates are made of steel, but plastics and composites are alternative raw materials for rail joint.



It is required that the fish plate must be tightly attached to the steel rail because there is a lot of impact force when the train passes through. Therefore, it is necessary to use steel with good rigidity and toughness for manufacturing the fish plates, increasing the allowable stress of railway fish plates by heat treatment, and improving the hardness and wear resistance of its supporting surface.

Typical Railway Fish Plate Types:

Yongyang is a professional manufacturer providing high-quality railway fasteners. According to different applications, rail joint can be classified into many types. Typical rail joint types include ordinary rail joint, insulated rail joint, non-standard rail joint and compromise rail joint.

1. Common rail joint

Common rail fish plate is made of the general material Q235 steel, this kind of rail fish plate can be used in various types of rail tracks. Appearance and weight of ordinary rail joint has some differences with the different weight of railway track. Main types of ordinary railway fish plate are 4hole and 6hole.

2. Insulated rail joint

The raw material and production process of insulated rail joint are decided by the process standard of insulating material. The size of insulated rail joint is same with the ordinary rail joint. Insulated rail joint is generally applied at railway section that near power plant or leaky section. Insulated rail joint can effectively prevent the occurrence of electrical leakage accidents.

3. Non-standard rail joint

Non-standard rail joint has various types in all rail joints. For the section and speed of different railways, which decides some rail joints are different from ordinary railway fish plates. Normally, non-standard rail joints have three types, such asdifferent weight, different pitch and different appearance.

4. Compromise rail joint

Compromise rail joint is different with non-standard rail joint. General compromise rail joints include bulge railway fish plate and railway Switch Expansion Joint. Basically, compromise rail joints are customized, and they are mainly used in switch expansion Joint or some railway sections appearance with special design and requirements. Compared to other types of rail joint, compromise rail joint are difficult to process.

Different fish plates are applied to various types of rail tracks. Therefore, we need to choose the right fish plate according to the actual railway application. Yongyang is a professional manufacturer providing high-quality railway fasteners. And we can provide a one-stop service for various rail joints including development, manufacture and export service. Welcome to contact us.

Installation of railway fish plates

Railway fish plate installation procedures can be summarized to four steps as follow.

① Before installing railway fish plate, cutting power off and

② Each connection joint install two rail bolts.

③ Installspring washer and flat washer before install fish bolt, openings of washer is downward.

④ Railway fish plate, railway track and fish bolts should be oiled.

Maintenance of railway fish plates

Railway fish plate is a rail component that is widely applied in the railway track. Vehicle can produce huge impulse and friction force when the train runs at high speed. Safe railway transportation requires high quality of railway fish plates, besides that, maintenance of railway fish plate is also important.

• Firstly, adopting supporting fish bolt can increase the performance of railway fish plate.
• Secondly, connection rod cap can be fastened by twisting wrench strongly.
• Thirdly, it is responsible to perform second-class maintenance at each 1200km operation. Engine oil pan should be removed in the maintenance of railway fish plate, check the usage of the engine bearing, if the gap is too large, change it immediately. At the same time, the connecting rod of fish bolt should be changed too.
• Finally, in the daily operation, unstable operation or abnormal noise should be noted and check in time.

Rail fish plate plays an irreplaceable function in fastening the steel rails, especially for securing the normal running of vehicles and the safety of rail track. The maintenance of rail joint and railway influences the safety of the passengers and our property. So it is necessary to check and maintenance the rail fish plate according to the inspection standard.

FAQs

What is the function of fish plates in rail tracks?

Fish plates are used to join two sections of rail in a track. The joint between two sections of rail is a weak point in the track because it is prone to wear and tear. Fish plates provide additional support and strength to the joint, helping to maintain the integrity of the track.

What are the different types of fish plates?

There are two main types of fish plates: bolted and welded. Bolted fish plates are attached to the rails using bolts and nuts, while welded fish plates are attached using a welding process.

What are the materials used to manufacture fish plates?

Fish plates are typically made from steel, cast iron, or aluminum. Steel fish plates are the most common and are used in most applications. Cast iron fish plates are used in special applications where there is a need for a more rigid joint, while aluminum fish plates are used in areas with high electrical conductivity.

Why are standard sizes important for fish plates?

Standard sizes are important for fish plates because they ensure that the plates will fit properly with the rail sections they are joining. Using the wrong size of fish plate can result in a weak joint that is prone to failure.

What are the UIC, AREMA, and BS standard sizes for fish plates?

The UIC standard sizes for fish plates include UIC54, UIC60, and UIC70. The AREMA standard sizes include 115-119RE, 132-136RE, and 141-143RE. The BS standard sizes include BS60, BS75, and BS80.

What rail types use each standard size of fish plate?

The rail types that use each standard size of fish plate can vary depending on the country and region. Generally, UIC54 and UIC60 fish plates are used in Europe, while AREMA standard sizes are used in North America. BS standard sizes are commonly used in the United Kingdom.

How are fish plates installed on rail tracks?

Bolted fish plates are attached to the rails using bolts and nuts. Welded fish plates are attached to the rails using a welding process.

How often should fish plates be replaced?

Fish plates should be inspected regularly to ensure that they are in good condition. The frequency of replacement can vary depending on factors such as the type of rail, the amount of traffic, and the environment. Generally, fish plates should be replaced when they show signs of wear or damage.

If you are confused about the material of railway fish plate, want to get more information about railway fish plate or have purchase intension, do not hesitate to contact us, we can give you detailed answer and make customization production according to your requirements about railway fish plates.