Railroad Joint Bars for Rail 136RE

Railroad joint bars (also known as fishplates) for 136RE rail are heavy-duty connectors designed according to AREMA standards to join rail ends in high-load and mainline systems. These bars are typically available in two standard lengths: a 24-inch version with 4 holes and a 36-inch version with 6 holes. 

Technical Specifications

• Hole Pattern: Standard drilling is typically 3-1/2" × 6" (for 4-hole bars) or 3-1/2" × 6" × 6" (for 6-hole bars).

• Hole Diameter: Holes are usually 1-1/4" in diameter to accommodate large track bolts.

Weight per Pair:

• 4-Hole bars: Approximately 70 lbs (81 lbs with hardware).

• 6-Hole bars: Approximately 117 lbs (134 lbs with hardware).

• Hardware: Requires 1-1/8" x 6-1/2" or 1" x 6" heat-treated carbon steel track bolts and nuts. 

Common Types of Joint Bars

• Regular Joint Bars: Standard bars used for joining two sections of the same rail size (136RE to 136RE).

• Compromise Joint Bars: Specifically machined to connect 136RE rail to a different, often lighter rail section (e.g., 136RE to 115RE) while maintaining a smooth transition on the gauge side and rail head.

• Insulated Joint Bars: Used in signaled territory to electrically isolate rail sections for track circuits.

• Head Free Bars: Designed to avoid contact with the underside of the rail head, often used to prevent certain types of fatigue or to fit worn rail. 

Material Properties

• Joint bars for 136RE rail are manufactured from high-strength materials such as medium carbon steel or micro-alloy steel, often heat-treated to meet a tensile strength of ≥690 Mpa and a yield strength of ≥480 Mpa.