Can I take the spikes off of abandoned railroad tracks?
The issue here is whether the spikes have been abandoned. If they've been abandoned, then you can take them. If not, then they are still property of the railroad company.
Can you sell scrap metal from a railroad track?
For example, if you attempt to recycle railroad metal at a scrap yard, the dealer must receive a release from the railroad company stating that you are authorized to sell it. Technically, the railroad company that commissioned the track still owns the metal, and so individuals need their permission to sell it.
Are railraod spikes personal property?
In the case of personal property, like a railraod spike, you need to look at whether the railroad company has relinquished control of it. To make that determination, you need to look at the circumstances of how the spikes were left. TexLawyer : 1) what condition were they in? 2) how long have then been left on the side of the tracks? TexLawyer :
What materials are not allowed in scrap metal yards?
Scrap metal yards are forbidden by state law to accept these items at our facilities. Common utility scrap includes materials such as: Railroad track materials or railroad equipment such as railroad spikes, angle bars, tie plates, signal housing, control boxes, switch plates, or rail tie junctions
What can I do with old railroad spikes?
List of Railroad Spike Projects Ideas For Blacksmiths (With Videos & Advice)1) Railroad Spike Tongs.2) Railroad Spike Bottle Opener.3) Railroad Spike Knife.4) Railroad Spike Tomahawk.5) Railroad Spike Wall Hook.6) Railroad Spike Steak Turner.7) Railroad Spike Garden Hoe.8) Railroad Spike Spoon.More items...•
What are railroad date nails worth?
A collection from the Great Northern Railway sold on Ebay last year for $1,100. A single, particularly rare, 1952 nail from the Santa Fe line was auctioned off for $600. Railroad companies started using date nails in the 1800s to record the dates of chemical treatments on their ties.
Are railroad spikes cast iron?
Railroad spikes are made out of carbon steel and are generally divided into three classes: low carbon, higher carbon and structural steel.
How much carbon is in a railroad spike?
This means that an HC spike can have as little as 0.27 points of carbon, a little lower in carbon then 1045 steel (AISI Standard) referred to as "medium Carbon Steel", containing 0.42-0.50 points of carbon.
What metal is a railroad spike made of?
carbon steelSpikes are made of relatively low-carbon steel, which is softer than the steel used in rail and spike mauls. This is important because when a spike is driven, it won't break into flying steel chips, and it will likely stay in place when bent.
How heavy is a railroad spike?
The weight of a 5½ ×9/16× 9/16-in. spike is about ½ lb. The head is usually made oblong, about, 1 3/16 × 1½ ins., the under side of the same being inclined to correspond to the slope of the top side of the rail flange, which is usually 13 degrees.
How can you tell how old a railroad spike is?
look at the track and see if there are date nails, if so this will help you identify the age. if you cant find anything you might want to try and research the railroad starting with topographical maps for the area and see what railroad it was, and find out when it was built and go from there.
How old are wrought iron railroad spikes?
The screw spike was first introduced in 1860 in France. Modern screw spike is changed more than the past. The giant change is that it has been used with PSC sleeper and become one main component of complex rail fastening system.
What do the numbers on a railroad spike mean?
By 1901 several railroads were using date nails in test sections of their lines. In the early years of date nail use, all the dates were indented in the head and both one and two digit dates (numbers)were used. So a 4 or 04 could indicate the year 1904. This caused some confusion later as Code nails were introduced.
Can you make knives out of railroad spikes?
0:028:00Forging a Railroad Spike Knife - Simple Blacksmithing ProjectYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipToday. We're going to make a knife out of one of these a railroad spike which is the same thing asMoreToday. We're going to make a knife out of one of these a railroad spike which is the same thing as we did last. Week. So last week I did a video about making one of these a railroad spike knife.
How do you cut railroad spikes?
The Best Ways to Cut Steel Railroad TracksAngle Grinder. One of the simplest tools you can use to cut large pieces of metal like railroad tracks is an angle grinder. ... Miter Saw. ... Rail Saw. ... Cutting Torch.
Is railroad track steel good for knives?
1:324:24Railroad Track Steel - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can hear the sound difference between hardened 1070 and mild steel. The file is really bitingMoreYou can hear the sound difference between hardened 1070 and mild steel. The file is really biting into the mild steel as it.
Is a railroad easement a theft?
I believe railroad easements (the area along the railroad track) are property of the railroad, so technically this might be theft.
Can you recycle cash at the recycling center?
They've even stopped allowing cash for any recycling, instead is suing you a check.
Is scrap steel worth dealing with?
They make a good heavy duty drift. While this is settled already, now, it's worth mentioning that scrap plain steel and iron are not really worth dealing with (at least for most folks in the "West") until you're dealing with pretty big amounts.
Is the railroad aware of recycling value?
To me this is actually good to hear; the railroad is aware of the recycling value, and the scrapyard has some integrity. Or at least the people answering the phones believe they do.
Why are railroad spikes so popular?
Railroad spikes are affordable and give projects an interesting rustic or industrial feel. They are also great for beginner welders because they are very forgiving to work with. They do not splinter or break easily because of their metal composition.
How long is a railroad spike?
A standard railroad spike is 5–5.5 inches long measured from the bottom of the head to the point and 9/16″ square.
What to do with a little grasshopper?
This cute little grasshopper would look great in your garden or in a planter. A fun and easy welding project using spikes and other items you have in your shop. Clear coat it or get the kids involved and paint them in fun colors and designs.
What to do with a scrap metal spike butterfly?
Looking for a nice gift for the gardener on your list? This scrap metal and spike butterfly is the ticket. You can add a garden stake to it and display it as a single or create several and display them together.
What do spikes do to a shelf?
The addition of spikes give these shelf supports a cool industrial decor look. Add a piece of wood and you’ve got a storage or display shelf. The Home Handyman takes you through the process to create these useful items.
What to do with recycled bowls?
Creating display bowls with recycled materials is always a winning combination. Display the bowls on their own or decorated to match the room decor for the various holiday seasons. Bowls make nice display pieces and are also great gifts.
What steel is used to make railroad spikes?
The steel used to make railroad spikes is a softer low carbon steel. This mild steel is more forgiving and not subject to breaking or fracturing. There are HC spikes which are slightly higher carbon (0.6% carbon) but no “high carbon” spikes.
