Railway Tie Plate baseplate,sole plate PRODUCT PARAMETERS Tie plate is also called a baseplate or sole plate, which is used in rail construction to support the rails. Tie plates are generally used to take the load of rail and distribute the load to the sleepers offering proven economies. The primary function of a tie plate or sole plate is to provide the rail with a flat, smooth resting surface while allowing for vertical alignment of the rail system. Tie plates are secured by Anchor Bolts, also known as Holding Down Bolts. Sole plates are typically installed with a layer of grout cast beneath, which fills the void between the soleplate and the concrete foundation.