All Aboard: The Fascinating History and Uses of Railroad Spikes

Railroad Spikes: A Guide to Understanding and Collecting

Railroad spikes are a fascinating piece of history that has been in use for over 150 years. These small pieces of metal have had a significant role in the development of railroads across America, and they continue to be used today.

As a metal detector enthusiast, you may come across railroad spikes during your searches. They can provide valuable insights into the history of an area and offer unique collectibles for those interested in railway memorabilia. This article will guide you through everything you need to know about railroad spikes.

What Are Railroad Spikes?

Railroad spikes are short pieces of iron or steel that were used to secure the rails to the wooden ties on early American railroads. The first railroad spike was invented by Robert Livingston Stevens in 1830, who recognized that traditional nails could not withstand the weight and pressure exerted on them by trains.

The design of these spikes is relatively simple – they have a wedge-shaped head designed to fit snugly against the base of the rail, with a flat shank that penetrates through the tie into the ground beneath it. The combination of their shape and size allowed them to hold rails securely in place while still being easy enough to install quickly.

Types Of Railroad Spikes

There are two main types of railroad spikes: square and round. Square spike heads were commonly used on earlier railways, while round heads became more popular as technology advanced.

Square-head spikes were produced from wrought iron until around 1865 when steel production became widespread. Steel square-headed spikes typically measured around six inches long with an inch-wide head. Round-headed steel spikes replaced square-headed ones after this time period due to their increased durability; they typically measure around five-and-a-half inches long with a half-inch wide head.

Collecting Railroad Spikes

If you’re interested in collecting railroad spikes, there’s plenty out there for collectors at any level. You can find them at flea markets, online auctions, and even on old abandoned railway tracks. However, it’s important to keep in mind that collecting railroad spikes from active railways is illegal.

When you’re looking to add railroad spikes to your collection, make sure to check their condition. Rusty or corroded spikes may not be worth much unless they have particular historical significance or come from a rare period of production.

To identify the age of a spike, look for markings on the head or shank. These marks often indicate the manufacturer and date of production and can help determine its value. For example, certain makers such as S.S.C & Co., Wm Beardmore & Co., Niles-Bement-Pond Company are highly sought after by collectors due to their rarity.

Uses Of Railroad Spikes

Railroad spikes have been repurposed for many different uses once they’ve served their original purpose on railways. They’ve been turned into knives, bottle openers, coat hooks – you name it! The simplicity of their design makes them versatile objects that lend themselves well to creative upcycling projects.

If you’re interested in using railroad spikes for other purposes than just collecting them, there are plenty of resources available online with ideas and tutorials on how to turn them into functional household items.

Legal Considerations

Before we wrap things up here today let’s talk about legal considerations related to finding and collecting railroad spikes. In most cases removing anything from an active railway is strictly prohibited; this includes picking up discarded materials like nails or screws from rail ties along train tracks without permission being granted first-hand by the owner/operator (such as a construction company).

In conclusion:

Railroad spikes are simple yet fascinating pieces of history that played an essential role in American transportation infrastructure development over 150 years ago. Today these durable little metal pieces still exist across America waiting for discovery through your metal detector hobby but remember always be mindful when collecting relics and stay within legal boundaries.