Dog spikes are also called road spikes, railway spikes, and cut spikes because the cover is large and looks like a dog. The large cover is just to fix the bottom of the track to the wooden sleepers. Dog spikes are made of high-quality steel and are designed to withstand the heavy loads and forces applied to the rails and maintain the gauge of the rails.
As an important fastener used in railway construction to secure rails to sleepers, dog spikes are simple in design, with a pointed head on one end and a T-shaped end on the other. They pass through a hole in the bottom of the rail into the wooden sleeper, and then hammer the head into the rail to secure it firmly in place. The slightly curved or bent shank helps prevent the rails from moving laterally. In addition to securing the rails, dog spikes also help spread the load of passing trains from the rails to the sleepers, maintaining track stability. Although these spikes traditionally require manual hammering for installation, modern mechanized tools can improve installation efficiency. In our spike shop, dog spikes of various sizes are available to meet customized requirements for spike penetration length. The most popular spikes are 5/8”×6” and 9/16”×5-1/2”, suitable for smaller track sections. Gnee Rail can produce a variety of railway spikes, such as GB, DIN, ISO, ANSI/ASTM, B7, BS, JIS and other standard spikes to meet the needs of customers in different regions. We can also customize materials with different sizes, processing technology and appearance according to customers’ drawings or materials.
Spike specifications：According to customer drawings
Free sample and product customizing available
Installing Dog Spikes
Proper installation of dog spikes is critical to ensuring the safety and longevity of railroad tracks. Installation procedures may vary depending on the type of dog spikes and the section of track being used. Here is a general step-by-step installation procedure for dog spikes:
Remove old dog spikes: Before installing new dog spikes, it is necessary to remove any old spikes that may still be present.
Clean the holes: Clean the holes in the track to ensure that they are free of any debris or dirt.
Insert the dog spikes: Insert the dog spikes into the holes in the track, ensuring that they are secure and that the spike heads are flush with the track.
Hammer the dog spikes: Hammer the dog spikes into place using a spike mallet or hammer. The spikes should be driven in securely, but not too hard to avoid damaging the rails.
Repeat the process: Repeat the process for the remaining dog spikes, ensuring that they are evenly spaced and properly positioned.
Recommended dog spike installation tools include a spike sledgehammer or hammer, a claw bar or pry bar, and a wrench. These tools can help make the installation process more efficient and effective.
To ensure an effective installation of dog spikes, there are several best practices to follow. These include:
Proper Spacing: Dog spikes should be evenly spaced along the rails to ensure proper stability and support.
Proper Orientation: Dog spikes should be oriented so that the heads are flush with the rails and the points point toward the center of the track.
Tightening: Dog spikes should be securely tightened but not over-tightened as this may damage the rails.
Inspection: After installation, dog spikes should be inspected to ensure they are secure and properly positioned. Any loose or improperly installed dog spikes should be replaced.
Professional Rail Spike Supplier
As a professional manufacturer of railway spikes of various specifications, Gnee can design and manufacture railway spikes of various sizes according to customer requirements and international standards. Since the spikes are mass-produced, we are able to sell them to customers at competitive prices even if the quantity is small. As an integrated service provider and supplier, we have a more comprehensive export business system. With a clear development strategy, innovative business model, perfect internal management, strict risk control system and excellent employees, we are committed to providing customers with more convenient, thoughtful and high-quality services. Our railway spikes have been exported to more than 70 countries and regions around the world, such as the United States, South Korea, Sudan, South Africa and Southeast Asian countries.
Why Choose Gnee Rail Fasteners?
As a world-leading manufacturer of rail fastener systems, Gnee Rail Fasteners has 18 years of professional experience, an annual production capacity of 10 million sets, and its products are exported to more than 60 countries. We have built 5 production bases, equipped with 400 technicians, and annual R&D investment exceeds 5% of revenue.
Our products have been used in more than 2,000 railway projects, with a total of 50,000 kilometers of track laid, covering more than 100 high-speed rail projects. From -40℃ to 80℃, the product performance remains stable and reliable. With strict quality control and professional technical support, more than 85% of our customers maintain long-term cooperation with us, and customer satisfaction continues to remain above 93 points.
