Questions About Rail Spikes

[ET44C4]

So recently I "salvaged" some rail spikes along the BNSF Fort Worth subdivision (an ex-ATSF mainline) and today noticed that the spikes were different sizes. The lengths and shapes of the heads where different. I was wondering if the different shapes and sizes hints that the spike might be older than the new versions. If you have no clue what I'm talking about I can get some pictures of the spikes I have tomorrow. I'm planning on going back to get some more spikes and railroad items soon.

[ErikGorbiHamilton]

"salvaged"

I really hope that's not what i think it means...

[ET44C4]

"salvaged"

I really hope that's not what i think it means...

Not sure what you mean there.

noun
1.
the act of saving a ship or its cargo from perils of the seas.
2.
the property so saved.
3.
compensation given to those who voluntarily save a ship or its cargo.
4.
the act of saving anything from fire, danger, etc.
5.
the property saved from danger.
6.
the value or proceeds upon sale of goods recovered from a fire.
verb (used with object), salvaged, salvaging.
7.
to save from shipwreck, fire, etc.

[ssbobz]

Pretty sure he's referring to the legality of 'salvaging' them, which will depend on where you salvaged them from.

[jalsina]

I will be salvaging the sleepers left out by ET44C4.

[ET44C4]

[buzz456]

Lighten up guys. People have been picking up spikes left behind since before I was born......and that was some time ago.

[ET44C4]

Yeah everything is okay here. I can take a picture of the area the next time I go back there. It's not close to the actual mainline.

[ssbobz]

Indeed, I had quite a few and some tie plates when I was a kid, it's weird how such mundane objects could entertain me for hours. Simple pleasures I guess ... and trains.

[ET44C4]

Indeed, I had quite a few and some tie plates when I was a kid, it's weird how such mundane objects could entertain me for hours. Simple pleasures I guess ... and trains.

Yes and for me I think of it as "saving" them and I also think of it as a piece of history.

[ET44C4]

Here are some pictures of the spikes and part of a Knuckle.

DSC_2196.JPG

DSC_2197.JPG

DSC_2198.JPG

[Bananarama]

Not sure what you mean there.

noun
1.
the act of saving a ship or its cargo from perils of the seas.
2.
the property so saved.
3.
compensation given to those who voluntarily save a ship or its cargo.
4.
the act of saving anything from fire, danger, etc.
5.
the property saved from danger.
6.
the value or proceeds upon sale of goods recovered from a fire.
verb (used with object), salvaged, salvaging.
7.
to save from shipwreck, fire, etc.

Correct, except when you place the word within quotes in a forum setting, it usually means "with a wink and a nod", as though the item was lifted from RR property.

[ET44C4]

Not sure what you mean there.

noun
1.
the act of saving a ship or its cargo from perils of the seas.
2.
the property so saved.
3.
compensation given to those who voluntarily save a ship or its cargo.
4.
the act of saving anything from fire, danger, etc.
5.
the property saved from danger.
6.
the value or proceeds upon sale of goods recovered from a fire.
verb (used with object), salvaged, salvaging.
7.
to save from shipwreck, fire, etc.

Correct, except when you place the word within quotes in a forum setting, it usually means "with a wink and a nod", as though the item was lifted from RR property.

Ah okay

[Ericmopar]

I know from taking to a track foreman one day, many moons ago, they don't care if you pick them up off the ground, just don't remove them from the track, or parts dumps for a project.
The spikes laying on the ground sometimes cause them flats on their trucks when driving on service roads.

[Chacal]

Back to the original question, maybe now the railroad is laying track using an automated machine, and the spikes for these are different than the old ones that were driven with hammers.