When we are sitting on the train during our vacation, the beautiful scenery outside the window and the condition such as a naughty boy or beautiful girl inside the train may attract your eyes. We can feel the speed of the moving train and listen to the voice of wheels. Nevertheless we may not think of the importance of rail spike to the rails. Some people even do not know there is a rail fastener called rail spike. Rail spike is used to fasten the rail track to the sleepers so that the rail can’t deviate from the original track.
Rail spike is equipped with an offset and the function is to ensure the correct position of rail gauge. Railway spikes are mainly classified into screw spikes and dog spikes. Railway spikes are mainly classified into screw spikes and dog spikes.
Dog Spike
Dog spike, also named as cut track spike, gives people the impression of dog because of the two lugs on each side of the spike head. The function of dog spike is similar to a cut spike and the shape is square in horizontal section. It is mainly used to fasten T-shape railroad track. A dog spike is functionally equivalent to a cut spike. The common track spikes are the 5/8”*6” and the 9/16”*5-1/2” for smaller rail sections, and they are usually secured in either 200 lb. kegs or 50 lb. kegs.
Screw Spike
Firstly introduced in France (tire-fond in French) and the screw spike is widely used in continental Europe. A screw spike is used to fix the tie plate or fasten the rail to the sleeper with the help of a plastic dowel. Compared with other spikes, screw spike has greater power and the manufacture cost is higher. According to different thread profiles, lengths, diameters and drive heads, screw spike can be classified into Ss series sleeper screw, square-head screw spike, hexagon screw spike and double-head screw spike.
- Ss series sleeper screw spike: We can produce Ss series sleeper screw, including Ss1, Ss2, Ss5, Ss6, Ss7, Ss8.
- Square-head screw spike: As the name implies, this kind of screw spike is equipped with a square head. Different sizes such as M22*145, M22*155, M22*165, M22*185, M22*195 can be provided by professional manufactures.
- Hexagon screw spike: The head of this kind of spike is a hexagon and the surface can be Oxide black, Zinc, HDG, Wax, Bitumen, Dacromet and Sherardizing.
- Double-head screw spike: Double-head screw spike is popularized in Africa, and it is always used with clip fastening system. The raw material of screw has good bending feature that no crack on the surface after 30 degree bending.
Difference Between Dog Spike & Screw Spike
- Shape: Judging from the appearance of two types of rail spike, dog spike is similar to a large rail with square shape and a pointed penetrating head; Screw spike is a kind of spike with screw thread on the surface of shank, the screw can be on one end of the spike or double head of the spike. It can be used in the fastening system with the help of a sleeve, clip or clamp.
- Fastening Sleeper: Rail spike is usually used for fastening the rail to wooden sleeper, while screw spike aims at concrete sleepers. With the wide use of concrete sleeper, screw spike is popularized and has replaced the status of dog spike in many areas.
- Nailing Method: Originally dog spike was driven into the wooden sleeper with a heavy hammer by hand. But now the manual work has been replace by the machine "spike driver". The screw spike is usually fastening to the concrete sleeper through anchoring technology.
- Fastening Power: The fastening power of screw is twice more than that of dog spike. Screw spike can be used with rail plastic sleeve, which provide a solid base for the spike to fastening the rail.
- Cost: The manufacture cost of screw spike is higher than dog spike owning to the greater fixing power combined with rail clip.
