How much does a railway fish plate weight?

A rail fish plate is an essential jointing element in non-welded rail systems, ensuring that rail ends remain mechanically linked and capable of transferring operational loads safely. GNEE RAIL provides fish plates suitable for GB light and heavy rails, UIC standard rails, DIN536 and QU crane rail systems, JIS rail profiles, AS1085 sections, BS11 rails, and AREMA/ASCE rail specifications, offering one-stop rail joint solutions.

What is the function of the rail joint bar?

A rail joint bar (or fishplate) connects two rail ends to create a continuous, secure, and aligned track, crucial for safe train movement. These heavy-duty steel bars maintain proper gauge, distribute vertical wheel loads across the joint to minimize stress, and allow for thermal expansion/contraction.

Structural Connection: Joins rail sections to create a continuous path for trains.
Alignment Maintenance: Ensures vertical and horizontal alignment, providing a smooth surface for wheels.
Load Distribution: Distributes the weight of trains evenly across the joint, reducing wear and preventing track damage.
Thermal Expansion: Allows rails to expand and contract with temperature changes without buckling or breaking.
Stability and Safety: Prevents rails from separating, crucial for avoiding derailments.

How much does a railway fish plate weight?

A standard railway fish plate (joint bar) typically weighs between 8 kg and 25 kg per piece, depending on the rail size, type (light or heavy), and length. Common heavy-duty fish plates (e.g., 52kg/60kg rail) generally weigh around 12–15 kg, with some specialized or longer plates weighing over 20 kg.

Typical Fish Plate Weights by Type:

Heavy Rail (50kg/60kg/115RE/136RE): ~15 kg to 24.5 kg per piece.
Light Rail (8kg–30kg): ~1.39 kg to 3.8 kg per piece.
Common Industrial/Standard: 8–10 kg (4-hole) to 12-15 kg (6-hole, 685mm).

Fishplate for UIC Standard Steel Rail
Steel Rail Type	Steel Rail Weight (KG/M)	Fishplate Standard	Fishplate Material
UIC54	54.43	UIC	45#,55#
UIC60	60.34
Fishplate for BS Standard Steel Rail
BS50’O’	24.833	BS 47-1	55#,45#   European Grade 700
BS60A	30.618
BS75R	37.041
BS80A	39.761
BS90A	45.099
BS100A	50.182
BS113A	56.398
Joint Bar for AREMA 2007 Standard Steel Rail
100RE(TR50)	50.35	AREMA 2007	45#,55#,AREMA Grade Steel
115RE	56.9
115-119RE
132RE	65.31
133RE	66.1
136RE	67.41
132-136RE
Fishplate For Chinese Standard Steel Rail
GB15KG	15.2	YB226-63	Q235,45#
GB18KG	18.06	YB225-63
GB22KG	22.3	YB14-63
GB24KG	24.46
GB30KG	30.1	YB351-63
GB38KG	38.733	TB/T 2345-2008	45#,55#
GB43KG	44.653
GB50KG	51.514

Factors influencing the weight include:

Length: Longer plates (e.g., 6-hole vs. 4-hole) are heavier.
Rail Size: Larger rails require larger, heavier fish plates.
Material: Usually made of forged or hot-rolled steel.

Types of Rail Fish Plate

Rail fish plates, or rail joints/splice bars, connect rail ends to ensure continuity and safety. Key types include ordinary (standard) fish plates for general use, insulated joints (using nylon or composite materials) for signal circuits, and compromise joints to connect different rail sizes. They are classified by rail type (light, heavy, crane) and bolt hole count (4 or 6).

Classification Category	Type of Rail Joint	Core Definition / Key Characteristics
By Position on Track	Square Joint	Joints on parallel rails are aligned opposite each other. Common on straight tracks; simple but causes more impact.
	Staggered Joint	Joints on one rail are opposite the mid-point of the adjacent rail. Primarily used on curves to reduce forces and improve ride quality.
By Position of Sleepers	Supported Joint	Rail ends rest directly on a single “joint sleeper”. Minimizes deflection but creates a rigid, high-maintenance point.
	Suspended Joint	Rail ends are located between two sleepers. The most common type; offers flexibility but requires more frequent maintenance.
	Bridge Joint	Similar to suspended, but uses a metal bridge plate to connect rails on either side of the joint. Not widely used.
By Performance & Application	Ordinary (Bolted) Joint	Standard connection using fishplates and bolts. Cost-effective, allows for thermal expansion.
	Compromise Joint	Connects two rails of different sizes/profiles. Uses specially shaped fishplates to ensure a smooth transition.
	Conductive Joint	Ensures electrical continuity between rail sections for traction current and signaling, using conductive materials.
	Insulated Joint (IRJ)	Electrically isolates rail sections for signaling systems. Uses insulating materials between rails and plates.
	Welded Joint	Rail ends are fused together (e.g., thermite welding). Creates Continuous Welded Rail (CWR) for a smoother, stronger track.
	Frozen Joint	A defective condition where tight or corroded fishplates prevent thermal expansion/contraction, leading to high stress.
	Expansion Joint (REJ)	Allows controlled longitudinal rail movement (e.g., on bridges) to prevent buckling or breakage due to temperature changes.

Founded in 2008, GNEE RAIL is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of railway components, specializing in high-quality rail fish plates (joint bars/splice bars) with strong production capacity and global service capabilities.

Our rail fish plate portfolio is comprehensive and compliant with international standards including UIC, AREMA, BS, DIN, and GB, covering light rail (8kg-30kg), heavy rail (38kg-75kg), and crane rail (QU70-QU120) systems. We offer diverse types such as insulated joint bars, bulged fish plates, and compromise rail joints，with precise specifications (4-hole/6-hole, 24-inch/36-inch), ensuring excellent mechanical performance.We uphold strict quality control supported by ISO 9001:2015 certification, an in-house inspection center, and third-party audits by SGS and BV. Our one-stop service includes customization, production, packaging, and after-sales support, tailored to clients’ project needs.