What are the different types of railroad clips?

Author : | Last Updated : 2025-12-04

Rail clip is usually used in railway to fastening the steel rails. It is generally used with other rail fasteners, such as rail spike, tie plate, rail pad, etc. Rail clip functions well and it is regarded as the most useful fasteners which can secure that the rails don’t move, bend, or warp. The special structure of the elastic rail clip makes it absorb the impact and shake the when the vehicles pass by.

Common types of rail clips include E-type, SKL, KPO, and Nabla clips. These are all examples of elastic clips or clamps used in different railway fastening systems to secure the rail to the sleeper, with variations designed for different track conditions and performance requirements.

Common types of rail clips

E-type clips: A widely recognized system, often associated with brands like Pandrol, known for its simplicity.

SKL clips: Another common type of elastic tension clip, with variations including SKL1, SKL3, SKL12, and SKL14.

KPO clips: A clamp fastening system with models such as KPO3, KPO5, KPO6, and KPO9, often used for high-speed rail and crane rails.

Nabla clips: A system that includes the clip itself, often seen in Japan and France, and is known for its specific design.

Fast clips (FC): A highly engineered system designed for resilience and stability, used in vario

Model	Diameter	Weight	Material
Type III	Ø18	0.80kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E1609	Ø16	0.43 kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E1809	Ø20	0.61kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E1813	Ø18	0.62kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E2001	Ø20	0.80kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E2007	Ø20	0.80kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E2009	Ø20	0.80kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E2039	Ø20	0.80kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E2055	Ø20	0.80kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E2056	Ø20	0.80kg/pc	60Si2MnA
E2063	Ø20	0.80kg/pc	60Si2MnA
PR85 Rail Clip	Ø13	0.25kg/pc	60Si2MnA
PR309A	Ø19	0.85kg/pc	60Si2MnA
PR401	Ø20	0.97kg/pc	60Si2MnA
PR415	Ø20	0.95kg/pc	60Si2MnA
PR601A	Ø20	1.03kg/pc	38Si7
SKL 1	Ø13	0.48kg/pc	60Si2CrA
SKL 3	Ø13	0.48kg/pc	60Si2CrA
SKL 12	Ø13	0.53kg/pc	38Si7
SKL 14	Ø13	0.53kg/pc	60Si2MnA
Special Rail Clip	Ø13	0.48kg/pc	60Si2MnA
Russia Rail Clip	Ø18	0.58kg/pc	60Si2MnA
Deenik Clip	Ø25	0.49-0.68kg/pc	60Si2MnA
Single Anti-	Ø20	0.25kg/pc	60Si2MnA
Theft	Ø20	0.25kg/pc	60Si2MnA

Other related rail fasteners

While not always referred to as “clips,” other fastening components are used in a similar function:

Rail anchors: Spring steel clips that attach to the underside of the rail to prevent longitudinal movement.
Railroad spikes: Used with wooden sleepers, with common types being dog spikes and screw spikes.

Elastic rail clip function

Like other rail fasteners, the main function of rail clip is fastening railway sleeper and steel rail together. The rail clip is considered as one of the best ways to ensure that rails do not move, bend, warp, or rot. There are data shows that each elastic rail clip can bear about two tons of force upon a railway track.

GNEE RAIL offer an extensive range of rail clips with optimum quality, these rail clips are designed with high precision and made up of premium grade spring steel. GNEE has been the largest and most competitive production base of rail clip in China after more than 18 years’ rail clip producing experience, and have qualification to tender nationally large and medium scaled rail projects. What’s more, our rail clip can be customized according to clients’ requirements.