Share your favorites on Show & Tell

Narrow Gage rail spike

In Railroadiana > Show & Tell.
Railroadiana906 of 1322Railroad Sterling pieceI want to be just like you when I grow up
6
Love it
2
Like it

SEAN68SEAN68 loves this.
crabbykinscrabbykins loves this.
officialfuelofficialfuel loves this.
kerry10456kerry10456 loves this.
packrat-placepackrat-place loves this.
mrmajestic1mrmajestic1 loves this.
inkyinky likes this.
stonesfan1stonesfan1 likes this.
See 6 more
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 12 years ago

    Hedgewalker
    (158 items)

    I found this in my backyard while tilling for a new garden.I live in a town that grew around zinc mining.My house was at one time a barn and my property borders an active railroad.Every time I dig I find something,usually old broken glass and bones are also common.
    I don't know what this was used for...I'm guessing it was used for the ore car rails.If anyone knows please let me know.Thanks.

    Mystery Solved
    logo
    Railroadiana
    See all
    NOS Pullman Vintage Kindly Flush Toilet After Each Use Except Train Station Sign
    NOS Pullman Vintage Kindly Flush To...
    $22
    Crosby 6
    Crosby 6" diam. 3chime steam whistl...
    $1,375
    New York Ontario & Western Railroad Lantern Dietz Cast NYO&W RR Cracked Globe
    New York Ontario & Western Railroad...
    $133
    Vintage 1921 New York Central Railroad Company Gold Bond Certificate - Blue
    Vintage 1921 New York Central Railr...
    $9
    logo
    NOS Pullman Vintage Kindly Flush Toilet After Each Use Except Train Station Sign
    NOS Pullman Vintage Kindly Flush To...
    $22
    See all

    Comments

    1. walksoftly walksoftly, 12 years ago
      The big one is a railroad spike used to hold the rail to the tie. The other looks like a smaller version of the other.
      It could have come from the tracks inside of a mine, as the rails are much smaller.
      Nice find.
    2. walksoftly walksoftly, 12 years ago
      I think the heat is getting to me.
      After posting that info I read your description. I definitely didn't read the title or the last paragraph.
    3. walksoftly walksoftly, 12 years ago
      I agree it is probably a spike to hold the track in a mine for the ore cars.
      Now about those bones your'e digging up, I hope they are just chicken bones.
    4. Hedgewalker Hedgewalker, 12 years ago
      Thanks walksoftly ! Most of the bones seem to be cow bones...quite large.
    5. walksoftly walksoftly, 12 years ago
      I was afraid you found an old graveyard:-)
    6. Hedgewalker Hedgewalker, 12 years ago
      My whole yard seems to be an old graveyard !
    7. Hedgewalker Hedgewalker, 12 years ago
      I've heard stories about the original owner.They called him Devil Joe.I heard he was plowin with his horse when his horse decided he was done.So Devil Joe dug a hole next to him then shot the horse.The hole wasn't big enough so he had to cut his legs off.
    8. walksoftly walksoftly, 12 years ago
      With a story like that the name fits him.
    9. inky inky, 12 years ago
      I have some of these that one day I am going to have made into a hat and coat hooky thingy!....:-)
    10. Hedgewalker Hedgewalker, 12 years ago
      Thanks Sean my friend !! Thanks stonesfan,inky and Mrmajestic !!
    11. Hedgewalker Hedgewalker, 12 years ago
      Thanks packrat !!
    12. kerry10456 kerry10456, 12 years ago
      The smaller one is for "Narrow Gage" light rail tracks, these are commonly sized at 1/2 inch square. The standard spike is now 5/8. And yard spikes are 9/16
    13. Hedgewalker Hedgewalker, 12 years ago
      Very cool !!! Thanks kerry !!! So I'm thinking my guess of it being from the mine is a pretty good possibility.
    14. kerry10456 kerry10456, 12 years ago
      That possible or could be from a spur line in the mountains, they used a lot of narrow gage in the mountains, I believe you can still catch a ride in Colorado on narrow gage.
    15. Hedgewalker Hedgewalker, 12 years ago
      Thanks official and metalman !!

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.