There is disclosed a rail fastening system for wood or concrete ties having provisions for rail gage adjustment and including a pair of shoulders removably secured to a railway tie plate or a shoulder retaining in a concrete tie with provisions for lateral adjustment of the rails by the placing of a series of spacers between the flange base of the rail and the shoulders, with the dimensions of the spacers selected to provide constant deflection of the rail clips, if used, regardless of the adjusted position of the rail.