Fasteners in Rail Transport
Railroads form a crucial part of our global transportation infrastructure, moving people and goods safely and efficiently over long distances. While the tracks, locomotives, and cars are what attract attention, it's the often-overlooked fasteners that hold the entire rail system securely together. These small components come in a surprising variety, each designed for a specific purpose.
1. Standard Fasteners
Cut Spikes and Screw Spikes
These classic fasteners are the backbone of railroad track construction.
Cut Spikes:
Material: Low-carbon steel
Sizes: 5/8” x 6” is common, but sizes vary
Applications: Traditionally the most common fastener; used to secure the rail to wooden railroad ties. Being driven in with a spike maul, their square shank creates excellent holding power.
Interesting Fact: The square shank offers better resistance to being pulled out than round spikes.
Screw Spikes
Material: High-carbon steel for added strength
Sizes: 5/8" x 6" is common
Applications: Offer superior holding power compared to cut spikes, making them ideal for sharp curves and heavy loads. Also becoming more common on wooden ties as they resist loosening due to rail movement and vibrations. Installed using specialized machines.
Interesting Fact: The threaded design allows for removal and reuse, unlike cut spikes.
Track Bolts
Material: Medium-carbon steel, often heat-treated for strength and resilience
Sizes: Diameters typically between 3/4" to 1-1/4” with various lengths
Applications: Used to join rails together at joints using fishplates (joint bars), or for attaching baseplates (tie plates) to ties. Often used in conjunction with locknuts or lock washers to prevent loosening.
Interesting fact: Elliptical neck track bolts are designed to fit inside the rail joint, ensuring proper alignment and reducing stress.
track bolt with nut and washer
Elastic Rail Clips
Modern rail construction often leans towards these spring-like fasteners.
Material: High-strength spring steel
Sizes: Vary depending on the design (e.g., Pandrol, Vossloh, etc.)
Applications: Secure the rails to concrete ties or baseplates. Their elastic nature provides superior holding power, reduces vibration, and maintains track gauge (distance between the rails).
Interesting fact: Elastic rail clips are also popular for their ease of installation and maintenance.
Pandrol clip
2. Special Fasteners
Fang Bolts (Rail Anchor Bolts)
Material: High-strength steel
Sizes: Vary depending on application
Applications: Provide additional anchoring for rails on bridges, in tight curves, or areas prone to rail movement. The fanged nut bites into the underside of the tie.
Interesting fact: Fang bolts offer exceptional resistance to longitudinal forces on the rails, preventing a phenomenon known as "rail creep."
fang bolt
Insulated Rail Joints
Material: A combination of steel fishplates (joint bars), nylon end posts, and insulating sleeves.
Sizes: Vary depending on rail size
Applications: Used to electrically isolate track sections for signaling systems and to prevent stray currents.
Interesting fact: Insulated rail joints play a crucial role in enabling a system called "track circuits" used for train detection.
insulated rail joint
Rail Anchors
Material: Spring steel
Sizes: Vary in design, often fit a specific rail profile
Applications: Designed to "grip" the base of the rail and prevent longitudinal movement (rail creep). Used in areas of high braking/acceleration forces, inclines, or sharp curves.
Interesting Fact: Some modern rail anchors can be applied hydraulically, speeding up installation and maintenance.
rail anchor
Material Selection:
The choice of material for railroad fasteners is crucial, considering the demanding environment they endure. Factors like weight, strength, corrosion resistance, and cost all play a role.
Steel: The most common material due to its affordability, strength, and workability. Different grades and compositions are selected based on the specific fastener and its application.
High-strength steel alloys: Used for components requiring exceptional strength, such as fang bolts and certain types of clips.
Nylon: Employed in insulated rail joints for electrical insulation.
Standardization and Quality Control:
The safety and performance of the entire rail system depend heavily on the quality and consistency of the fasteners. Rigorous international standards, such as those set by the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) and the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), ensure the quality and compatibility of these critical components. Manufacturers undergo stringent testing and certification processes to guarantee their products meet these established standards.
The Future of Railroad Fasteners:
Innovation continues to propel the development of new and improved fasteners. Here are glimpses into the future:
Advanced materials: Research is ongoing to explore the use of composite materials and improved steel alloys offering lighter weight, even greater strength, and enhanced durability.
Smarter fasteners: The possibility of incorporating sensors into fasteners is being explored. These sensors could monitor stress, temperature, and other parameters, providing valuable insights into track health and potential issues.
Sustainable solutions: Environmental considerations are increasingly important. Manufacturers are exploring ways to reduce the environmental footprint of fasteners throughout their lifecycle, from material sourcing to manufacturing and recycling.
Additional Resources:
American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA): https://www.arema.org/AREMA_MBRR/AREMAStore/MRE.aspx
European Committee for Standardization (CEN): https://www.cencenelec.eu/
International Union of Railways (UIC): https://uic.org/
About U.S. Fastener Import & Trading Company:
U.S. Fastener Import & Trading Company (USFITC) is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between overseas fastener manufacturers and American industries. We specialize in sourcing and importing OEM fasteners. We have established a diverse supplier base throughout Asia, ensuring our clients have the right fasteners for their specific needs. We serve a variety of industries including automotive, construction, furniture manufacturing, electronics, marine, renewable energy, agricultural machinery, railways, telecommunications, aerospace, medical device, and dental implants.
Located in the Los Angeles area, we enjoy proximity to the bustling Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and easy access to the dynamic Pacific Rim economies. This strategic advantage allows for efficient goods handling, reduced costs, and a diverse range of high-quality imported products to meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers.
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