AREMA Railroad Spike 5/8″x6″

The 5/8" x 6" railroad spike is the most common and standard size for cut track spikes used in North American railway applications, designed to meet the specifications set by the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA). 

Key Specifications

• Dimensions: 5/8 inch in shank width and 6 inches in length under the head.

• Material: Q235,35#,45# to meet stringent strength and durability requirements.

• Head: Features an offset, L-shaped or drive-on head designed to fit the base of the T-shaped rail.

• Function: Used to secure steel rails to wooden ties (sleepers), primarily to maintain the correct track gauge.

• Packaging: Commonly sold in 100-pound or 50-pound kegs, with approximately 120 spikes per 100-pound keg.

• Standards: AREMA specifications require rigorous material and workmanship standards, including specific permissible variations in shank straightness and manufacturer identification marks on the head. 

Function & Typical Use Cases

• Securing rails on wood-tie track: The 5/8″×6″ spike is used to hold the rail (via tie plate) securely to a wooden sleeper, helping maintain track gauge and stability under load. 

• Standard freight, branch, siding, or industrial tracks: Especially in lines using traditional wood ties rather than concrete or slab track, where cut spikes remain common. 

• Maintenance and repair: Widely used for replacing worn or missing spikes, re‑spiking sections of track, or for small-scale rail work or refurbishment. 

• Historic or light‑duty rail applications: Some heritage railways, private sidings, or light-traffic lines may still use wood-tie + spike systems, where 5/8″×6″ remains suitable.

When to Use (or Not Use) 5/8"×6" Spikes

Use 5/8″×6″ AREMA spikes when:

You’re building or maintaining rail over wood‑tie track.

Simplicity, cost‑effectiveness, and ease of installation are priorities.

The traffic, load, and environment are within what a traditional cut‑spike system can handle (moderate freight/passenger, stable ballast).

You might avoid them when:

Using concrete sleepers, slab track, or non‑wood tie systems.

The railway will see very heavy/static loading, high vibration or frequent dynamic forces (where more robust fasteners are preferred).

Long-term maintenance minimization and tight track gauge preservation are critical (modern clip/screw systems may perform better).

The 5/8" × 6" railroad spike is a classic, standard rail fastening spike — simple, reliable, and widely used in wood-tie railroad track systems, especially across North America. While newer fastening technologies (screw spikes, elastic fasteners, clip systems) are increasingly common, 5/8″×6″ spikes remain a backbone of traditional trackwork and maintenance because of their simplicity, availability, and cost‑effectiveness.