Lateral and vertical rail brace assembly

A brace member adapted for use with a retention member for bracing a rail having a head fishing surface and a base fishing surface, said brace member including:

• a body having a first end and a second end, a longitudinal axis extending from said first end to said second end, a first rib and a spaced apart second rib, said first rib including a first upper surface adapted to engage the head fishing surface of the rail and a first lower surface adapted to engage the base fishing surface of the rail, said second rib including a second upper surface adapted to engage the head fishing surface of the rail and a second lower surface adapted to engage the base fishing surface of the rail, and a front friction surface adapted to inhibit lateral movement of said brace member along said longitudinal axis;
• and
• a toe extending outwardly from said body, said toe having an upper engagement surface adapted to engage the retention member.

A rail retention member for use with a spring clip having a first leg in securing a rail to a tie plate, said rail retention member including:

• a body having a first end and a second end, a base adapted to be attached to the tie plate, a bore extending into said body adapted to receive the first leg of the spring clip, said bore including a first aperture located in said first end of said body such that the first leg of the spring clip is insertable into said bore through said first aperture, and a stop memberadapted to engage the first leg of the spring clip and preventt insertion of the first leg of the spring clip into said bore beyond a predetermined distance.