I. The Function of Railway Track Fasteners and Clamp Components
Railway rail fasteners are components used in the track to connect the rails to the sleepers (or other types of sub-rail foundations); they are also referred to as intermediate connection components. Their function is to secure the rails to the sleepers, maintain the track gauge, and prevent longitudinal and lateral movement of the rails relative to the sleepers. Railway rail fastening systems are classified into spring clip fastening systems, shoulder plate fastening systems, and elastic bar fastening systems.
II. Classification of Railway Track Fasteners and Clamp Components
1. Wooden sleeper fasteners
Fastening components used on wooden-sleeper tracks to connect the rails to the wooden sleepers. Based on the relationship among the rail, the base plate, and the wooden sleeper, they are classified as split-type and mixed-type.
In a split fastening system, the bolts or spikes that secure the rail to the baseplate are separated from the baseplate itself. Typically, spikes are used to affix the baseplate to the sleeper; the baseplate is provided with a rail-bearing groove, and the bolts for securing the rail are mounted on the baseplate. The rail is then held in place by elastic clips or clip plates.
The mixed-type fastening system consists of a steel baseplate and rail spikes. Square-headed spikes are used to directly connect the rail to the baseplate and the sleepers. Due to the relatively low clamping force, a large number of anti-creep devices are required to prevent longitudinal rail creep.
2. Concrete sleeper fasteners
Fastening components used on concrete-sleeper tracks to connect the rails to the concrete sleepers. Due to their heavy weight and high stiffness, concrete sleepers place stringent demands on fastener performance, with particularly strict requirements for clamping force, elasticity, and adjustability. Concrete-sleeper fasteners can be classified according to their structural design into three types: spring clip fasteners, plate-type fasteners, and spring-piece fasteners (see Concrete-Sleeper Fasteners); according to the inherent elasticity of the fastener itself, they are divided into rigid fasteners and elastic fasteners; and according to whether the concrete sleeper has a shoulder, they are further categorized as shoulder-equipped fasteners and shoulderless fasteners. In the early stages, China primarily employed plate-type and spring-piece fasteners for concrete sleepers. However, arch-shaped spring-piece fasteners have since been phased out on Chinese railways because the arch-shaped springs exhibit low strength, are prone to residual deformation, and may even fracture. Plate-type fasteners, on the other hand, use a plate as the clamping element, which results in insufficient elasticity and relatively low clamping force, making them susceptible to loosening during service; consequently, they have gradually been replaced by spring-clip fasteners on Chinese railways. Spring-clip fasteners utilize a spring clip as the clamping element, leveraging the material’s bending and torsional deformation while avoiding any weakening of the cross-section, thus offering a more rational structural configuration and becoming the dominant type of fastener for concrete-sleeper tracks in China. The primary fastener currently in use is the Type I spring-clip fastener; with the development of heavy-haul and high-speed railways, Type II and Type III spring-clip fasteners have also been successfully developed in recent years, with the Type III being a boltless, shoulderless fastener.
3. Clip-type fastener
The clip-type fastening system consists of a clip, threaded rail spikes, spring washers, iron seats, and buffer pads. The threaded rail spikes are anchored in the precast holes on the concrete sleeper bearing seats using cement mortar, after which the clip is tightened onto the spike via bolts.
We have established deep expertise in the rail infrastructure equipment sector, with our core product portfolio encompassing high-strength hot-dip galvanized bolts, drilled bolts, pins, nuts, and accompanying flat and spring washers—key fasteners for critical connections. We also offer custom manufacturing of a wide range of non-standard hot-dip galvanized products tailored to specific customer requirements. All our products are made from premium-grade materials, undergo precision machining, and are subject to rigorous quality inspections, ensuring stable mechanical performance, superior corrosion resistance, and long-lasting durability—fully meeting the stringent standards of the railway industry.
Leveraging outstanding product quality and professional technical services, the company’s products have been successfully deployed in numerous key railway electrification projects, track fastening systems, and clean energy initiatives both domestically and internationally, providing long-term supply support to many large-scale power equipment manufacturers. Looking ahead, Nantong Longyu will continue to be driven by technological innovation and guided by customer needs, thereby making a solid contribution to the global development of rail transit.
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Type E spring clip
We have established deep expertise in the rail infrastructure equipment sector, with our core product portfolio encompassing high-strength hot-dip galvanized bolts, drilled bolts, pins, nuts, and accompanying flat and spring washers—key fasteners for critical connections. We also offer custom manufacturing of a wide range of non-standard hot-dip galvanized products tailored to specific customer requirements. All our products are made from premium-grade materials, undergo precision machining, and are subject to rigorous quality inspections, ensuring stable mechanical performance, superior corrosion resistance, and long-lasting durability—fully meeting the stringent standards of the railway industry.
Leveraging outstanding product quality and professional technical services, the company’s products have been successfully deployed in numerous key railway electrification projects, track fastening systems, and clean energy initiatives both domestically and internationally, providing long-term supply support to many large-scale power equipment manufacturers. Looking ahead, Nantong Longyu will continue to be driven by technological innovation and guided by customer needs, thereby making a solid contribution to the global development of rail transit.
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Nantong Longyu Rail Equipment Co., Ltd.
Contact: General Manager Wu
Address: No. 1, Xinning West Road, Group 6, Ningtong Residence, Jiang’an Town, Rugao City, Jiangsu Province
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