A compromise rail joint, or compromise joint bar, is a rail joint designed to connect two different rail profiles or to transition from new rail to worn rail, ensuring the rail head and rail gauge alignment so that the train wheel can run smoothly.
A compromise joint bar needs to undertake the wheel load and impact stress resulting from the wheel striking an uneven surface on the railway tracks. It is also affected by the stability of the railroad track. Once the railway track is under tension because of low temperature and creep, the compromise joint will also be in a stretched state.
AGICO’s compromise rail joints are designed with considerable strength to prevent deformation and reduce wear and tear. Our rail joint bars are welcomed by customers all over the world due to their exceptional performance.
Core advantages of the compromise rail joint from AGICO
Achieving precise transitions between different rail profiles
By using a specialized rail profile, the head height, web thickness, and base width of two different rail types can be accurately matched, ensuring a smooth and step-free track transition.
Improving riding stability and reducing impact
The transition fishplate effectively reduces wheel-rail impact and vibration, improving train ride comfort and reducing fatigue damage to the track bed and joint area.
Strengthening the stress performance of the joint area
The optimized geometric design results in a more uniform distribution of tensile and bending stresses in the joint area, extending the service life of the rails and joint components.
Adaptable to various materials and meeting heavy-duty requirements
Available materials: 45# steel, 50Mn, 42CrMo, Q345, Q450, etc.
After tempering, normalizing, or heat treatment, it possesses higher tensile strength, wear resistance, and fatigue resistance, suitable for heavy-duty railways, mining transportation lines, port tracks, and other working conditions.
High-precision bolt hole machining
Precise positioning, hole spacing, center distance, and hole diameter are manufactured strictly according to AREMA, UIC, BS, GB, and other standards and can also be customized according to customer drawings.
Customizable surface treatment
Hot-dip galvanizing, anti-rust oil, black oxide treatment.
Enhances corrosion resistance, suitable for harsh environments such as humid and salt spray conditions.
AGICO provides a wide range of compromise joint bars
We can manufacture various combination models of transition joint plates according to customer requirements, including but not limited to:
| No. | Type | Material | Unit weight (kg/pc) | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 136RE-115RE | 55# | 27.5 | 4pcs per set |
| 2 | 136RE-132RE | 55# | 26.7 | 2pcs per set |
| 3 | 141RE-136RE | 55# | 26.7 | 2pcs per set |
| 4 | 141RE-132RE | 55# | 26.7 | 2pcs per set |
| 5 | 100-8 of 1/8″ vertical off | 55# | 15.6 | 2pcs per set |
| 6 | 100-8 of 3/8″ vertical off | 55# | 15.6 | 2pcs per set |
| 7 | UIC60-P50 | 55# | 23 | 2pcs per set |
| 8 | BS80A-115RE | 55# | 20 | 2pcs per set |
| 9 | UIC60 aluminothermic welding joint | 55# | 18 | 2pcs per set |
| Material and bar length can be customized upon buyer request. | ||||
The left hand and right hand compromise joint bar
Generally, the compromise rail joint comes in pairs with a gauge side bar and an outside bar (unless the difference between the rail head widths is less than 3/16’’, a pair of joints is required), with round or oval holes.
Determine the left hand and right hand
Standing between the gauge side of the heavy rail while facing the direction of the light rail. Indicate the joint to the left as the “left hand” joint and the joint to the right as the “right hand”. A complete set of compromise joint bars contains four bars: left out, left gauge, right gauge, and right out.
Application of a compromise joint
Railway track renovation project
Transition zone between old and new track types
Dedicated industrial lines for ports, metallurgy, mining, and chemical industries
Temporary track connections
Track type transition in reversing sections and switch areas
Why AGICO?
Reliable supplier
Over 20 years of experience in manufacturing railway fasteners and rail accessories
Advanced process
CNC precision machining ensures consistent profiles and accurate bolt hole dimensions
Customized services
Supports custom manufacturing based on drawings and samples, and can produce according to international standards
Strong strength
Strict hardness, dimensional, and ultrasonic testing before shipment
Rich experience
Supply experience covers multiple countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America.
Safe delivery
Experienced in exporting wooden pallet packaging and container shipping.
Workshop of AGICO
AGICO’s production lines are at the forefront of rail joint and other component manufacturing. Our advanced equipment and strict quality control ensure a strong supply ability and high-quality products.
FAQ
1. What is a transition rail joint bar? What is its function?
A transition rail joint bar is used to connect two rails of different rail types, sizes, or standards.
It ensures a smooth transition of parameters such as rail head height, web thickness, and base width, thereby reducing wheel-rail impact and improving the safety and stability of railway operation.
2. What is the difference between a transition rail joint bar and a standard rail joint bar?
The main difference is whether the rail types are the same.
Standard rail joint bar: Used for connecting rails of the same type
Transition rail joint bar: used for the transitional connection between different rail types
In addition, transition rail joint bars usually have an asymmetrical cross-section design, irregular profile, and special hole spacing to match the different rail sizes at both ends.
3. What rail type combinations can be used? Which international standards are supported?
It can be adapted to mainstream rail types and standards such as AREMA, UIC, BS, GB, ASCE, and QU.
Common combinations include 115RE ↔ 132RE, UIC60 ↔ 50 kg, 43 kg ↔ 38 kg, and ASCE60 ↔ QU70. Any combination size can also be customized according to drawings or samples.
4. What materials do you use? Do you provide heat treatment?
Common materials include 45# steel; 50Mn; 42CrMo, and 42CrMo
We can provide quenching and tempering, normalizing, high-frequency quenching, and overall heat treatment to improve the tensile strength, impact resistance, and fatigue life of the joint.
5. What surface treatments are available?
To enhance corrosion resistance, we can provide hot-dip galvanizing, black oxide, and anti-rust oil.
6. Can you customize according to customer drawings? What is the minimum order quantity?
We can fully customize according to customer drawings, samples, and international rail type standards. The regular MOQ is 500–1000 sets (depending on the model), and it can be flexibly negotiated for special projects.
7. Can the bolt hole spacing be customized? Which standards are met?
Hole spacing, hole diameter, and centerline deviation can all be processed according to standards or drawings. Applicable standards: AREMA, UIC, BS, GB, etc., and supports non-standard customization.
8. What is the production cycle? What are the shipping methods?
The general production cycle is 20-35 days (depending on quantity and model). Export packaging includes fumigated wooden pallets and steel strap reinforcement. Shipping methods include sea freight, land transport, rail transport, etc.
9. What size bolts are typically used for transition rail joints?
Common specifications: M20, M22, M24. We can match the appropriate bolts according to the rail type and provide a complete set of accessories (bolts, nuts, and spring washers).
10. Can samples be provided? How is quality testing performed?
We can provide samples for dimensional inspection or rail-type matching verification. The factory utilizes hardness testing, tensile testing, ultrasonic flaw detection, and a coordinate measuring machine to ensure that each batch of products meets quality requirements.
