Rail Tie Plate for Rail 90lbs

Rail tie plates for 90 lb rail (specifically the 90RA-A or 90 ARA-A section) are designed to fit a 5-1/8 inch (130.2 mm) rail base width. Unlike the heavier 115RE plates, these are traditionally single shoulder designs, which allow for more flexibility in rail width compatibility. 

1. AREMA Standard Plans for 90 lb Rail 

There are two primary AREMA plans specified for this rail weight: 

AREMA Plan 1: Features a 10-inch length and a single shoulder.

AREMA Plan 2: Features an 11-inch length and a single shoulder. 

2. Key Technical Features

Shoulder Placement: The single shoulder is positioned on the field side (outside) of the rail to resist outward lateral thrust from the train wheels.

Inclination (Cant): Both plans include a standard 1:40 cant, which tilts the rail head slightly inward toward the track center line to improve wheel bearing and reduce lateral stress.

Material: Standard plates are manufactured from hot-rolled, sheared, and punched steel, typically using low carbon (AISI 1020, 1030) or high carbon (AISI 1045, 1060) grades.

Ends: These plates feature inclined ends to prevent the plate from digging too deeply into the tie, which helps extend the life of wooden sleepers.

3. Application & Usage

Rail Type: Specifically for 90RA-A rail, which is common in regional freight, secondary lines, mining tracks, and port crane applications where lower axle loads are expected.

Function: These plates provide a uniform bearing surface, maintain track gauge, and prevent the rail from "cutting" into the wooden tie.

4. Comparison Table

Signum specializes in AREMA tie plates, specifically for 115RE or 136RE rail sections. We currently support North American infrastructure projects by providing forged,rolled and cast plates that meet Plan 8 and Plan 12 specifications.We’d love to send over our latest technical data sheets and lead times for your maintenance cycle if you need.