A rail clip for fastening railway rails to rail ties. The clip consists of U-shaped member formed from metal plate having a base with a free end and the other end curving upwards with an internal radius of 18 mm or less and a short straight section followed by a second curve and two tapered arms extending therefrom or beyond the curve, said base adapted to be secured to said tie outwardly spaced from the foot of said rail, said arms being bent downwards in a third curve beyond said base and finally the tip portion of said arms being bent backwards in a forth curve toward and short of said base to form toes which are orientated for contact with the top surface of the rail base such that said arms and toes are deflected upwards relative to said rail to develop downward clamping forces at the said toes which hold the said rail on the said tie to restrain longitudinal, lateral and vertical movement; after the said clip is formed it is hardened and tempered and then cold set by loading it in the same manner as occurs in track but the applied load is increased until the yield is passed and the clip is permanently deformed, the load is then removed & the process is repeated at least once.