The invention provides a rail clip for a retaining device comprising a shoulder member for bearing on a lateral side of a rail flange, and providing a downwardly facing abutment surface. The clip is driven into the hole on the plate and reacts against the top of the base of the rail while the heel (“U” section) of the clip reacts against the plate. The attributes of the clip are as follows. The clip can be installed with the toe on the rail from right to left or from left to right making the clip completely reversible. The clip can also be installed with the heel on the rail. The clip has higher toe load than clips of comparable weight. The clip has a low profile for tight spots where overhead clearance is limited such as at rail joint where joint/splice bars are used.