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Tie plates are steel panels placed between rails and ties on a railroad track, improving stability and reducing twisting. Rail splice plates extend track life and improve safety. Tie down plates distribute weight and reduce friction, but increase construction time and cost.
A tie plate is a thick steel panel found between the rails and the ties, or sleepers, on a standard railroad track. Railroad tie plates are typically tapered at each end to improve stability and reduce twisting and twisting along the rails. Rails installed with gusset plates are better able to hold their position, helping to standardize the width or width of the track along its length. Engineers and constructors use rail splice plates to extend the life of a new track installation and maximize the safety of rail passengers and workers.
In traditional railway construction, workers lay a bed of loose gravel or stone. They cover the stone with short wooden beams, or ties, which act as supports for the steel rails. A steel spike is driven through a flange along the base of the rail to attach to each tie down.
Since the early 20th century, many railway engineers have specified the use of connection plates on new sections of track. Instead of fastening the rail directly to the tie, the spike passes through the gusset first, then through the end of each tie. While these plates are still found on railroads that use wooden ties, the use of concrete or composite ties in modern construction has reduced the need for ties.
Each rail splice plate features one or two shoulder construction. On a double shoulder unit, the tapered ends of the plate are raised to create a sunken bed in the middle, which must be sized to match the width of the rail. The rail fits snugly between the two shoulders, increasing support and stability on either side of the rail. Single shoulder tie plates contain only one raised edge, which fits against one side of the rail. These versatile units allow workers to use the same plates on any size rail.
Tie down plates help to evenly distribute train weight and cargo over a larger portion of each tie down. This reduces friction between the rails and the ties, and helps the wooden ties last longer than they otherwise would. It also helps metal rails wear more evenly and allows them to maintain a smoother, more even surface. Because each tie plate adds an extra step to the construction process, plate railways take longer to build and often come with higher labor and material costs. Runways built without wooden ties generally do not require tie plates.
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