TIE PLATE – DUCTILE IRON BASE PLATE FOR RAIL FASTENING SYSTEMS
Jul 21,2026
Single shoulder, double shoulder and flat baseplates – cast ductile iron, machined seat, for timber, concrete and steel sleepers.
The tie plate, also called a baseplate or sole plate, is a cast iron component placed between the rail foot and the sleeper. Its primary functions are to distribute the wheel load over a larger area of the sleeper, to provide the correct inward rail seat inclination (typically 1:40 or 1:20), and to hold the rail fastening components in the correct position. In a complete rail fastening system, the tie plate works together with rail clips, pads, insulators and screw spikes to maintain gauge, control rail creep, and protect the sleeper from mechanical damage. Our baseplates are cast from ductile iron (QT450-10 or QT500-7) using resin sand moulding, then machined on the rail seat and shoulder areas to achieve precise dimensions. We supply single-shoulder plates for use with one clip, double-shoulder plates for two clips, and flat plates for special applications. All plates are available drilled or undrilled for screw spikes or track bolts.
KEY FEATURES & BENEFITS
Accurate rail seat and inclination: The rail seat is machined to the specified cant (usually 1:40) to match the rail profile. This gives full, even contact between the rail foot and the plate, reducing localised stress and preventing rail rollover on curves.
High strength ductile iron: Cast from QT450-10 or equivalent grade with minimum tensile strength of 450 MPa and elongation ≥ 10%. This material provides a good balance of strength and toughness, resisting cracking under impact and heavy axle loads.
Consistent shoulder geometry: The shoulder that holds the rail clip is machined to tight tolerances. This ensures the clip sits at the correct angle and delivers the designed toe load, keeping the rail fastening system stable over time.
Surface protection: Available with black oxide, anti-rust oil, zinc plating, or epoxy coating. For aggressive environments, we recommend epoxy-coated or hot-dip galvanized tie plates to prevent corrosion and extend service life.
Reduces sleeper wear: By spreading the load and providing a smooth bearing surface, the baseplate protects timber sleepers from cutting and splitting, and prevents fretting damage on concrete sleeper seats. This directly cuts long-term railway maintenance costs.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Plate type | Single shoulder, double shoulder, flat plate, or ribbed baseplate |
| Material | Ductile iron: QT450-10, QT500-7, or equivalent |
| Casting process | Resin sand moulding, lost foam, or green sand depending on volume |
| Surface finish | Black oxide, anti-rust oil, zinc plated, epoxy powder coating, hot dip galvanized |
| Rail sections matched | UIC 60, UIC 54, 115RE, 136RE, 50kg/m, 52kg/m, JIS 50N, BS 90A, and others |
| Rail seat inclination | 1:40 standard, 1:20 on request; flat seat also available |
| Sleeper type | Timber, prestressed concrete, steel, composite |
| Tensile strength | ≥ 450 MPa (QT450-10) |
| Elongation | ≥ 10% |
| Hardness | 160–210 HBW |
| Hole configuration | Drilled for screw spikes or track bolts; hole diameter and spacing to specification |
| Standards | AREMA Chapter 30, UIC 864, GB/T 1348, BS EN 1563 |
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Henan Xinda Railway Equipment Co., Ltd
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Email:info@xindarail.com
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