Rail gauge rods are essential railway tools for preventing rails from tilting and maintaining a consistent gauge. Gnee offers railway gauge rods for standard gauge (56.5 inches) and 60-140 lb/yd rails, including both uninsulated and insulated types. These rods are suitable for heavy-haul and high-speed rail tracks, switches, and curved tracks, and can be custom-made according to customer drawings and specific requirements.
Gnee exports gauge tie rods globally at factory prices. Our gauge ties provide precise gauge retention and are easy to install and remove. With their standard dimensions, high tensile strength, and ease of use, our gauge ties are suitable for railway projects worldwide, reducing the risk of derailments.
We offer both standard and non-standard gauge rods.
Standard Gauge Rods
A standard two-end gauge rod includes one rod, four clips, four flat washers, four nuts, and four spring washers, regardless of whether it is non-insulated or insulated.
No.
Part
Quantity
Specification
Material
1
rod
1
M30 M36
3#
2
iron card
4
I type II type
KTH350-10
3
plain washer
4
M30 M36
3#
4
nut
4
M30 M36
3#
5
spring washer
4
M30 M36
65Mn
Non-standard Gauge Rails
Customized production based on customer drawings and specific requirements.
Hot-Selling Gauge Rods
Our hot-selling products are double-ended gauge rods, available in either non-insulated or insulated styles. These are typical gauge rods, with two claws, two flat washers, two nuts, and two spring washers at each end.
Product Description
Rail gauge rods, also known as gauge rod railroad or railway tie bars, are specially designed to connect two rails. Railway gauge rods are commonly used at weak points on track, such as temporary tracks, turnouts, sharp bends, poor sleepers, and switches, to prevent longitudinal stretching of the rails and maintain track gauge.
Gnee Rails primarily manufactures standard gauge tie rod, insulated gauge tie rod, and turnout tie rod in the M20×870, M20×1050, M20×1060, M22×1050, M24×1050, M28×18100, M32×1810, and M36×1850 series (TB/T1780-86). We also manufacture custom gauge rods for different rail types according to AREMA, UIC, and BS standards. With over a decade of export experience, we offer the most competitive prices and the highest quality. We sincerely seek reliable partners in foreign markets worldwide. Please feel free to contact us!
Working Principle of Rail Gauge Rods
To ensure accurate track gauge, gauge rods are required to secure the rails. This is the function of gauge tie rods.
Rail gauge rods can apply a pair of opposite forces along the rod axis, causing the rod to stretch (or contract) axially. This deformation is called axial tension. Rods subjected to axial tension or compression are called tie rods or compression rods. At the rod joints, special-shaped steel bars are laid on the center plate at regular intervals. This prevents expansion of the rail pad and longitudinal gapping.
Relying on the tension of the rods to prevent rail stretching, effectively ensuring driving safety, they are portable and widely used in railway construction and maintenance.
Features of the Gnee Gauge Tie Rod
1. High Strength 2. High Durability 3. Excellent Chemical Stability 4. Easy Operation
Gage rods are categorized by material into standard gauge rods and insulated gauge rods.
Standard Gauge Rod
Standard gauge rods are typically used in curves or switch sections. They provide traction to prevent the rails from spreading outward during locomotive operation. The action of the rods on the rails ensures the safe passage of locomotives and trains through the section. Standard gauge rods are used for standard gauge (1435mm/56.5 inches) track systems, including mainstream track sizes from 30kg/m to 75kg/m (60-152 lbs/yd). They are suitable for straight and curved sections, non-electrified sections, and sections with insulation treatments.
Insulated gauge rods
Insulated gauge rods are required on lines with electrical circuits. Insulation material is placed in the middle of the rod, insulating the middle section and achieving track insulation. Insulated gauge rods are suitable for use on curved sections of track with 43kg/m, 50kg/m, 60kg/m, and 75kg/m rails. Rail insulation materials used for gauge rods include:
Wound insulating glass tubes
Pultruded fiberglass tubes
Insulated gauge rods consist of an insulating gauge rod and an iron clamp. They include the following types:
Threaded connection
Sleeve connection
Folding connection
Features of Insulated Gauge Rods
Insulated gauge rods are widely applicable and can be used on railways, in construction, and for major and medium-sized railway maintenance. The machine is lightweight, compact, and portable. It features secure mounting, accurate installation, and quick removal, effectively ensuring driving safety.
High-speed alloy steel hollow drill bits ensure fast drilling time, high accuracy, and long service life.
This machine features an internal spindle cooling structure and is equipped with a high-pressure coolant tank.
Suitable for drilling various types of rails weighing 30 to 75 kg/m.
Classification by Track Type
Gage rods are categorized by track type as follows: 8 kg/m, 12 kg/m, 15 kg/m, 18 kg/m, 22 kg/m, 24 kg/m, 30 kg/m, 38 kg/m, 43 kg/m, 50 kg/m, and 60 kg/m.
Gage rods or turnouts are categorized by the number of turnouts: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12.
Classification by Gauge Length
Gage rods are available in 762 gauge, 900 gauge, and 1450 gauge, with diameters of 20, 22, 32, and 36. Other gauge rod shapes can be customized.
Performance Requirements Of Gauge Rod
Item
Specification
Value
Insulation performance
Normal insulation resistance
M30, M36
≥500MΩ
Damp insulation resistance
M30, M36
≥0.25MΩ
Tensile performance
Sample tensile failure load
M30
≥245kN
M36
≥500kN
Fatigue life
Sample cycle numbers
M30, M36
200 Million
Tensile failure load of the sample after the test
M30
≥240kN
M36
≥300kN
Normal insulation resistance of the sample after the test
M30, M36
≥500MΩ
Damp insulation resistance of the sample after the test
M30, M36
≥0.20MΩ
Appearance of each component after the test
M30, M36
No damage such as rod sleeve detachment, permanent deformation, cracks, etc
Anti aging performance
Tensile failure load of the sample after the test
M30
≥240kN
M36
≥300kN
Normal insulation resistance of the sample after the test
M30, M36
≥400MΩ
Damp insulation resistance of the sample after the test
M30, M36
≥0.20MΩ
Maintenance Recommendations For Railway Gauge Rods
No more than one pair of rail supports should fail consecutively.
No more than two gauge rods should fail consecutively.
No rail supports or gauge rods should fail simultaneously between all six sleepers.
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.
