Abstract: A tie plate is provided for securing a rail to a railway tie. The tie plate has a base with a tie face opposite a rail face, opposite end faces extending between the tie and the rail faces, a gauge side opposite a field side with said gauge and field sides extending between the opposite end faces and the rail and tie faces. A rail support section runs across the rail face between the opposite end faces and along the gauge and field sides. The tie plate further has a respective clip hold down housing adjacent the rail support section on the field side and the gauge side, each clip hold down housing having a rail abutting face proximal the rail support section and a longitudinally extending receptacle for receiving a spring clip. A respective rail locating shoulder extends from the rail face on either side of the rail support section. Locating ridges extend from the tie face for embedding into a tie.