GOST Standards For Railway Rails And Clips

The GOST standards for railway rails, originally developed in the Soviet Union and now maintained by the Euro-Asian Council for Standardization, Metrology and Certification (EASC), form the technical foundation for railway systems across Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). These comprehensive regulations ensure uniformity, safety, and reliability for one of the world’s most extensive rail networks. For track infrastructure, GOST standards like GOST R 51685 provide precise specifications for rails and the fastening systems that secure them.

This guide provides a technical deep-dive into Russian GOST standards as they apply to rails and rail clips. We will analyze the key rail profiles used in the region, such as R50, R65, and R75, and explore the fastening systems essential for maintaining track stability under some of the world’s most demanding climate and operational conditions.

GOST Rail Profiles

GOST standards for railway rails profiles are typically designated by the letter “R” followed by their nominal weight in kilograms per meter (kg/m). For example, an R65 rail weighs approximately 65 kg/m. This simple designation system indicates the rail’s capacity and intended use. Heavier profiles like the R65 and R75 are engineered for high-tonnage, high-density mainlines, offering the strength and stiffness required for heavy freight and passenger traffic. Lighter profiles such as the R50 are often used on industrial tracks, branch lines, or routes with lower traffic volumes.

The primary standard governing these rails is GOST R 51685, which specifies everything from dimensional tolerances to material properties.

Technical Specifications of Common GOST Rail Profiles

The table below outlines the key dimensions for the most common GOST rail profiles used on the 1520mm broad gauge network. The transition to heavier rails like the R65 as the primary mainline standard reflects the need to support increasing axle loads and traffic density.

The R75 profile, while specified, is less common than the R65, which has become the workhorse of the Russian and CIS mainline network. The robust design of the R65 provides an optimal balance of strength, wear resistance, and economic efficiency for a wide range of demanding applications.

Material Properties and Manufacturing Requirements

The durability and safety of a rail are determined by its steel quality. GOST standards define strict requirements for chemical composition and mechanical properties to produce steel that can withstand extreme temperatures and immense dynamic forces.

Mechanical Properties

Rails manufactured under GOST R 51685 must meet specific benchmarks for strength and hardness. The standard includes categories for both standard (non-heat-treated) and heat-treated rails, which offer superior performance.

Heat-treated rails (often designated with a “T” suffix) undergo a specialized quenching and tempering process. This significantly increases the hardness of the rail head, providing exceptional resistance to wear and extending the rail’s service life in critical sections of track.

Chemical Composition (%)

The chemical makeup is tightly controlled to ensure a clean, resilient steel alloy. The composition for a typical high-strength carbon steel rail under GOST standards is as follows:

These exacting material standards ensure that every rail can perform safely and reliably, whether in the permafrost of Siberia or the busy corridors of Moscow.

Rail Clips and Fastening Systems in GOST Track

A robust track structure depends on a secure and resilient fastening system. Rail clips are the critical components that anchor the rail to the sleeper, maintaining track geometry and absorbing dynamic forces. Given the extreme temperature variations in the region, which can cause significant thermal expansion and contraction, the fastening system’s ability to provide powerful longitudinal restraint is paramount.

The GOST framework utilizes several types of fastening systems, primarily revolving around a separate fastening principle, where the rail is secured to a baseplate, which is in turn anchored to the sleeper.

Key Types of Rail Fastening Systems

1. KB Fastening System (КБ, Klemno-Boltovoe)

The KB fastening system is a widely used bolted clip system in Russia and the CIS.

• Design: This system uses a rigid, forged clip (the “KB clip”) that is secured by a high-tensile bolt. The bolt passes through the clip and is threaded into a cast-in anchor in the concrete sleeper. The clip clamps down on the rail flange, holding it against the baseplate.
• Function: The KB system provides an extremely strong and positive clamping force. However, its rigidity is also a drawback, as heavy vibrations can cause the bolts to loosen over time, requiring regular inspection and re-tightening. It offers excellent longitudinal restraint but limited elasticity.
• Application: Found on many mainline routes with concrete sleepers, particularly on older sections of track. It is known for its durability and strength.

2. ZhBR Fastening System (ЖБР, ZhelezoBetonnaya Reshetka)

The ZhBR system is a more modern, threadless elastic fastening system designed to overcome some of the maintenance challenges of bolted clips.

• Design: The ZhBR clip is a C-shaped spring clip made from high-quality spring steel. It is installed by being driven into a specially designed cast-iron anchor that is embedded in the concrete sleeper. It does not use bolts, nuts, or threads.
• Function: As an elastic clip, the ZhBR provides a constant, self-tensioning clamping force. Its spring action allows it to flex under the load of a passing train and immediately return to position, maintaining a secure grip on the rail. This design is more resistant to loosening from vibration and offers excellent longitudinal restraint for continuously welded rail (CWR).
• Application: Increasingly used in new construction and track renewals, the ZhBR system is valued for its reliability and reduced maintenance requirements. It is often paired with R65 rail on high-density routes.

3. Pandrol-Style Elastic Clips

In some modernizations and specialized applications, internationally recognized Pandrol-style clips (like the e-Clip or Fastclip) are also used. These systems function similarly to the ZhBR, using a threadless spring clip driven into a housing on the sleeper or baseplate, and are prized for their high performance and simple installation.

All components within these fastening systems, including the clips, bolts, anchors, and insulating pads, are manufactured according to strict GOST specifications to ensure compatibility and system-wide integrity. The combination of heavy-duty rail profiles and robust fastening systems defined by GOST standards creates a track structure capable of withstanding the immense pressures of modern freight and passenger service in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

Related products:

Gost Standard Railway Track Supplier From China