A Better Solution for Maintaining Fishplates on Jointed Track

The method by which a fishplate is fastened to the rail has been used since Victorian times, and regularly requires maintenance to check that the fasteners are torqued correctly, and that the joint is greased to ensure optimum operation.  Regreasing necessitates the joint to be taken apart, which is a messy and time-consuming process.  The fasteners are routinely discarded because their operability degrades after every use.  However, there is a better solution…

The images show a fishplate before upgrade, with traditional black grease

Black grease can often hide defects such as cracks

Once upgraded with the Hardlock Nut from Staytite and lubricants from Interflon Rail, maintenance service intervals can be dramatically reduced!

Combined with standard bolts and washers, the Hardlock Nut resists loosening by vibration, requiring less maintenance with the added benefit that they are reusable.  Tested to fifty uses with no loss in performance!  Hardlock can be fitted with a standard-type drill with a double-depth socket, thus eliminating the need to bring heavy petrol-powered equipment to site.

Interflon Metal Clean degreaser from Interflon Rail is specially formulated to remove the black grease that was traditionally employed to lubricate fish plates.  Once the upgrade process has been completed, the fish plate can be lubricated using Interflon Rail Lube EP.

The advantage to using Interflon Rail Lube EP is that you do not have to take the joint apart for the lubricant to penetrate the joint.  It can be applied by spray to the outside where it will infiltrate the joint by capillary action, thus saving in maintenance time.

Need to order your Hardlock Fishplate Metric Conversion Kit?

Both kits are available for purchase:

Bullhead Fishplate Kit
Catalogue No. 057/052113

Flat Bottom Fishplate Kit
Catalogue No. 057/052115

Available to purchase through the Network Rail iStore.