To provide for resilient interconnection between the holding element, such as a spike, screw connection, bolt or the like of the base of the rail to the crosstie, a bowed spring is interposed between the head of the holding element (spike, bolt, etc.) which has a bowed loop portion essentially surrounding the holding element and a pair of divergent projecting wings, bowed slightly (a few millimeters) with respect to the loop portion and bearing over the base of the tie. The spring may be round or rectangular bar stock, and if rectangular, may be set on edge; the ends of the projecting wings have a reverse bend which bears against the inside of the edge of the shoulder, the loop portion bearing against the top surface of the shoulder of the tie plate.