AREMA Tie Plate for 115RE Rail

An AREMA tie plate for 115RE rail is engineered specifically to accommodate a standard 5-1/2 inch (139.7 mm) rail base width. Designed in accordance with AREMA Chapter 5 guidelines, these plates feature a built-in 1:40 inward cant angle to optimize the wheel-to-rail contact patch on North American freight, transit, and mainline tracks.

Key Specifications & Design Features

Manufactured according to standards set by AREMA, these plates sit between the steel rail and wood ties on North American mainlines, freight corridors, and transit tracks. The  primary jobs of these tie plates are to prevent the rail from cutting into the wooden ties, maintain the track gauge, and prevent the rail from rolling over under heavy loads.

Double Shoulder Design: It features two raised steel ridges (shoulders) that perfectly bracket the 5-1/2" rail base, securing it from both the inside (gauge side) and outside (field side) to stop lateral movement.

Standard 1:40 Cant Angle: The rail seat is sloped slightly inward at a 1:40 ratio (about 1.43 degrees). This tilts the rail head inward to match the tapered shape of train wheels, centering the weight and reducing wear. 

Material Grades:

Low-Carbon Steel: Used for lighter yard tracks or sidings.

High-Carbon / Hot-Worked (HW): Mandated for commercial lines and heavy freight to resist bending and wear.

Common Plan Configurations for 115RE Rail

An AREMA tie plate for 115RE rail is a heavy steel foundation plate designed specifically to support a 115RE rail profile, which has a standard rail base (foot) width of 5-1/2 inches (139.7 mm).

Depending on how much weight and traffic the track needs to handle, engineers choose from a few standard AREMA plate lengths (all share a standard 7-3/4" width):

Plan 4 (11" Length): A lighter plate (approx. 14 lbs) used for standard straight tracks, industrial spurs, and low-traffic sidings.

Plan 7 (13" Length): A medium-heavy plate (approx. 20.5 lbs) providing a larger surface area to protect wood ties on standard commercial mainlines.

Plan 8 (14" Length): A heavy-duty plate (approx. 22-24 lbs) featuring an extended base and an 8-hole punching pattern, used on sharp curves and high-tonnage freight routes to handle massive lateral forces.

Spike Hole Punching Layouts

The plates come pre-punched with square holes for standard railroad cut spikes. They are typically ordered in 4-hole, 6-hole, or 8-hole configurations. The more holes used, the more securely the plate is anchored to the tie to prevent track shifting on curves.

If you have a requirement for AREMA tie plates for 115RE rail section, please contact Signum Rail Fastening too. Signum can make AREMA rail tie plates and hook twin tie plates according to the drawing and Chapter 5 ("Track") strictly.