A railroad tie plate has a generally prismatic body including a field side flange and a gauge side flange connected by an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion includes a rail seat for positioning a railroad rail. At least one of the flanges includes a protrusion extending in a thickness dimension of the tie plate. A hole extends into the at least one protrusion so as to receive a retaining device, such as an e-clip. The tie plate is made by hot forging, having a microstructure comprising pearlite and alpha-ferrite. The net shape of the tie plate may be achieved by forging without subsequent material addition and without subsequent material removal.

A track rail fastening system includes a rail cushion positionable laterally between a first fastener assembly and a second fastener assembly. The rail cushion includes a first full-length pad and a second full-length pad, and a pin field formed by a plurality of deformable pins. The first full-length pad and the second full-length pad define a first rail cushioning plane. The deformable pins in the pin field define a second rail cushioning plane. The cushion is deformable between a rest configuration where the cushioning planes are spaced, and a loaded configuration where the cushioning planes are co-planar. Primary, lower load deformable pins are configured to deflect such that under sufficient load both the primary, lower load deformable pins, and secondary, higher load pins engage an underlying substrate.

A track rail fastening system includes a rail cushion positionable laterally between a first fastener assembly and a second fastener assembly. The rail cushion includes a first full-length pad and a second full-length pad, and a pin field formed by a plurality of deformable pins. The first full-length pad and the second full-length pad define a first rail cushioning plane. The deformable pins in the pin field define a second rail cushioning plane. The cushion is deformable between a rest configuration where the cushioning planes are spaced, and a loaded configuration where the cushioning planes are co-planar. Primary, lower load deformable pins are configured to deflect such that under sufficient load both the primary, lower load deformable pins, and secondary, higher load pins engage an underlying substrate.

A direct fixation track rail fastener includes a rail plate having a first restraint hole and a second restraint hole upon opposite lateral sides of a rail support surface. The fastener also includes a frame including a first vertical protrusion and a second vertical protrusion received through the first restraint hole and the second restraint hole. A non-metallic cushion extends between the rail plate and the frame and vertically upward to surround the first vertical protrusion and the second vertical protrusion within the first restraint hole and the second restraint hole, respectively. The configuration assists in limiting displacement of the rail plate and frame relative to one another.

A direct fixation track rail fastener includes a rail plate having a first restraint hole and a second restraint hole upon opposite lateral sides of a rail support surface. The fastener also includes a frame including a first vertical protrusion and a second vertical protrusion received through the first restraint hole and the second restraint hole. A non-metallic cushion extends between the rail plate and the frame and vertically upward to surround the first vertical protrusion and the second vertical protrusion within the first restraint hole and the second restraint hole, respectively. The configuration assists in limiting displacement of the rail plate and frame relative to one another.

An attachment device for provisionally or temporarily connecting a tie plate to a rail includes a U-shaped fixing clamp inserted slightly into a bore of the tie plate. A force-locking connection between the tie plate and the fixing clamp is established with the aid of a clamping bolt. A stop nose automatically also effects a connection between the tie plate and the rail. A simplified tie renewal can be performed as a result of the provisional or temporary connection. A method for producing an attachment device constructed as a fixing clamp is also provided.

A tie plate inserter assembly on a track mounted machine is provided that is configured to ensure appropriate location of a tie plate and a tie relative to a rail of a railway. The assembly includes a frame supported, at least indirectly, on a chassis of the machine and having a tie plate clamp assembly that includes a self-centering mechanism that centers the tie plate relative to a longitudinal centerline the tie. The tie plate clamp assembly has a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate configured to clamp together to hold the tie plate. The tie clamp assembly also has first and second clamp plates configured to clamp together to hold the tie in place. The assembly may additionally include a tie clamp assembly that can actuated to center the tie relative to a reference point on the frame.

A tie plate inserter assembly on a track mounted machine is provided that is configured to ensure appropriate location of a tie plate and a tie relative to a rail of a railway. The assembly includes a frame supported, at least indirectly, on a chassis of the machine and having a tie plate clamp assembly that includes a self-centering mechanism that centers the tie plate relative to a longitudinal centerline the tie. The tie plate clamp assembly has a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate configured to clamp together to hold the tie plate. The tie clamp assembly also has first and second clamp plates configured to clamp together to hold the tie in place. The assembly may additionally include a tie clamp assembly that can actuated to center the tie relative to a reference point on the frame.

A railroad tie plate has a generally prismatic body including a field side flange and a gauge side flange connected by an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion includes a rail seat for positioning a railroad rail. At least one of the flanges includes a protrusion extending in a thickness dimension of the tie plate. A hole extends into the at least one protrusion so as to receive a retaining device, such as an e-clip. The tie plate is made by hot forging, having a microstructure comprising pearlite and alpha-ferrite. The net shape of the tie plate may be achieved by forging without subsequent material addition and without subsequent material removal.

A railroad tie plate has a generally prismatic body including a field side flange and a gauge side flange connected by an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion includes a rail seat for positioning a railroad rail. At least one of the flanges includes a protrusion extending in a thickness dimension of the tie plate. A hole extends into the at least one protrusion so as to receive a retaining device, such as an e-clip. The tie plate is made by hot forging, having a microstructure comprising pearlite and alpha-ferrite. The net shape of the tie plate may be achieved by forging without subsequent material addition and without subsequent material removal.