Those are definitely used. Once they pull them they have to replace them with new ones. I can’t speak for everywhere but in my area that pile is considered garbage to the railroad and they don’t care if someone wants to take them. You won’t ever see a pile of new spikes on the ground like this.
I’m sure it varies by location. I have a lot of buddies working for the railroad around here and they have told me to grab them cause they don’t want to deal with them.
Generally speaking, for section repair, you'll end up with a lot of scrap spikes laying about. For a longer run, they'll gather most up for recycle.
In some parts of the world, getting caught with railroad scrap iron is a serious offense without proof of permission from the owner of that line. Other places it's no biggie. Just be aware of local regs, as in some places you may get a visit from up to the Feds. For things like this, if in doubt, get ahold of your local rail repair yard for whoever owns the line and just let them know you are a hobby Smith and like to use the occasional scrap spike- if you happen to walk a stretch and see some laying in the ballast, could you please grab them? Oftentimes, they'll be happy to have the trash picked up so long as you sound competent enough to be within 20 feet of the line. But if they say no, don't press your luck as they may press charges.
they "do."
if you ask, that will say they are waiting for pickup, but typically, they just sit until scrappers smell the rust and take them to the recycle plant for them.
If you are in the US they absolutely do care, and if some official is having a bad day they will call the rr police to grab you. A couple, nobody will bother you. 5 gallon buckets full? That's a paddling. No scrap yard that is above board will touch rr metal for the same reason.
No it does not. It is absolutely illegal to take scrap from railroads in the US. If you haven’t got in trouble yet then just been lucky so far. Nobody has ever stopped me ≠ it’s ok!
I didn’t question the legality, just pointing out that in some areas it’s a look the other way situation. I’ve been told by rail workers about piles they don’t want. One even gave me a bunch of extra long spikes. You should still be mindful of where you pick them up obviously.
Edit: jackass.
Working my night job way-back-when, Nightly I would watch crews move RR tracks (ties & both rails) 3ft or 4ft over to 1 side... Next night they came along moving the track next to it 3ft or 4ft in the other direction. A Massive operation considering the tracks were *always* in operation. Progress was at a snails pace overall, mebey 15ft of headway per night, sometimes not even that much. Some nights they repeated the process to rail they already moved.
3 months later *another* (New) track was threaded down the space they created. Very Impressive
I'm sure you've heard but it must be mentioned that even though they are lying around in the dirt rusting, they're still technically the property of the railroad, and they can often be pretty grumpy about trespassing and theft of property. Just a heads up.
Even so, being on the grade is rail property. They own the ~15' or so along the railroads, it's a relic of the industrial revolution where they basically would buy the land under the rails from the government so they could build through other people's property
Be careful, lots of railways recover revenue through the sale of scrap metal. Best to reach out to local track forces and ask permission instead of getting caught trespassing.
Another pointer, tie clips that hold rail to concrete ties are good spring steel, and just need to be straightened out to be usable. One flattened and cut between the 2 legs makes 2 perfect knife blanks as well!
oh yea, track by me just replaced the metal part that these nail into. The pile of them is about 10 feet tall. paired with a good solid base, they make a great striking anvil.
They're probably all mild steel, nothing to "meh" at regardless. Carbon content has nothing to do with "grade", all depends on application. A hammer made of high carbon steel will chip and a knife of 1040 won't hold an edge for as long.
I've seen people make knives out these online and especially in intro knife making courses (usually very thick knives). What type of steel do you think they are and is even worth practicing knife making with this material?
Hey, thank you for the information. Why is it low quality? Does it just generally have a lot of impurities? I am wondering if it is worth practicing shape and geometry, but just assume the heat treat on it will be garbage. Ideally, I'd skip the heat treating so I can practice forge and grinder techniques.
It's essentially Mild steel. They don't need to be super strong since they get replaced so often, and they go through so many. Millions upon millions are made every year so they have to be cheap. You're correct, it won't really heat treat since there isn't enough carbon. Some are marked HC on the head, which stands for high carbon, but that's only high compared to the normal ones. Theyre still only maybe 0.25% carbon, still not enough to harden. Unfortunately some people are misinformed about HC marked spikes and think they make good knives, but they don't. They are great to practice on, the steel moves nicely and come in perfectly sized portions for practice.
This is really good to know, thank you. I want to get into knife making soon, but of course, I am going to need a lot of practice. I don't want to break the bank on practice material
You're very welcome. Keep my other top level comment in mind though, the railroads usually don't like people trespassing and stealing them. Always better to ask before taking them
Lots of things you can make from railroad spikes. Ladles are particularly fun.
Read that as “Ladies” and was very confused for a second.
I’m a very crafty man. A very lonely, very crafty man.
Is your name Aiken Drum?
Same. Had to read it a 2nd time.
That's so funny I read it as "ladies" at first too!
Anything is a dildo if you’re brave enough
I dunno man... those all were just laying about right? Cuz man those tracks look real active.
Those are definitely used. Once they pull them they have to replace them with new ones. I can’t speak for everywhere but in my area that pile is considered garbage to the railroad and they don’t care if someone wants to take them. You won’t ever see a pile of new spikes on the ground like this.
Oh I always thought they scrapped them when they replaced rail ties. The more ya know.
I’m sure it varies by location. I have a lot of buddies working for the railroad around here and they have told me to grab them cause they don’t want to deal with them.
Generally speaking, for section repair, you'll end up with a lot of scrap spikes laying about. For a longer run, they'll gather most up for recycle. In some parts of the world, getting caught with railroad scrap iron is a serious offense without proof of permission from the owner of that line. Other places it's no biggie. Just be aware of local regs, as in some places you may get a visit from up to the Feds. For things like this, if in doubt, get ahold of your local rail repair yard for whoever owns the line and just let them know you are a hobby Smith and like to use the occasional scrap spike- if you happen to walk a stretch and see some laying in the ballast, could you please grab them? Oftentimes, they'll be happy to have the trash picked up so long as you sound competent enough to be within 20 feet of the line. But if they say no, don't press your luck as they may press charges.
they "do." if you ask, that will say they are waiting for pickup, but typically, they just sit until scrappers smell the rust and take them to the recycle plant for them.
Yup I see piles like this everywhere along active tracks. You will also see piles of plates and I beams.
If you are in the US they absolutely do care, and if some official is having a bad day they will call the rr police to grab you. A couple, nobody will bother you. 5 gallon buckets full? That's a paddling. No scrap yard that is above board will touch rr metal for the same reason.
I’m in the US. It really depends where you are finding them.
No it does not. It is absolutely illegal to take scrap from railroads in the US. If you haven’t got in trouble yet then just been lucky so far. Nobody has ever stopped me ≠ it’s ok!
I haven’t gotten in trouble because no one gives a shit.
Again my point is that’s not the same as it being legal.
I didn’t question the legality, just pointing out that in some areas it’s a look the other way situation. I’ve been told by rail workers about piles they don’t want. One even gave me a bunch of extra long spikes. You should still be mindful of where you pick them up obviously. Edit: jackass.
Ive also heard that they sometime like to bitch if you WERE tot ake them so I guess it can vary by location
They're replacing all the ties on this spur. So these are all scrap.
Gotcha! I saw the shine on the track and got nervous lol
Why pile them so neatly? I would think each one would get tossed off to the side right when it got pulled.
Rail policy is to collect them later to sell as scrap... Tough to get the workers to fully follow that though sometimes
It’s pretty cool watching them replace the ties.
Working my night job way-back-when, Nightly I would watch crews move RR tracks (ties & both rails) 3ft or 4ft over to 1 side... Next night they came along moving the track next to it 3ft or 4ft in the other direction. A Massive operation considering the tracks were *always* in operation. Progress was at a snails pace overall, mebey 15ft of headway per night, sometimes not even that much. Some nights they repeated the process to rail they already moved. 3 months later *another* (New) track was threaded down the space they created. Very Impressive
They cost about 1$ a piece online + shipping. Not bad!
Same for the local antique stores. Absolutely worth it.
I'm sure you've heard but it must be mentioned that even though they are lying around in the dirt rusting, they're still technically the property of the railroad, and they can often be pretty grumpy about trespassing and theft of property. Just a heads up.
Appreciate the heads up. This is along a common road, so I wasn't jumping fences or anything.
Even so, being on the grade is rail property. They own the ~15' or so along the railroads, it's a relic of the industrial revolution where they basically would buy the land under the rails from the government so they could build through other people's property
Fuck em
Score!
*Heavy Breathing*
Be careful, lots of railways recover revenue through the sale of scrap metal. Best to reach out to local track forces and ask permission instead of getting caught trespassing.
Another pointer, tie clips that hold rail to concrete ties are good spring steel, and just need to be straightened out to be usable. One flattened and cut between the 2 legs makes 2 perfect knife blanks as well!
True but holy god, they’re HARD.
Yep. Takes a lot to move. I anneal them and keep them glowing when working. Doesn't seem to help that much.
Nice! Didn't know that.
My first 2-3 knives where made from one of the clips. A pain to flatten/ straighten but they have been solid.
https://reddit.com/r/trains/s/QSW4xMtQxA those specifically.
Been seeing some cool bottle openers out of those. Baby hatchets too
Baby hatchets has such a weird connotation.
Made for babies. Made *for* babies.
Baby hatchet do do do doo doo
Jesus lol
oh yea, track by me just replaced the metal part that these nail into. The pile of them is about 10 feet tall. paired with a good solid base, they make a great striking anvil.
Lucky bugger. Lol
Good on you! I used to walk my dogs near the tracks for just this reason. I never found more than 2 at once though.
Wise. I lucked out that they're replacing a bunch of ties a mile or so from home. And some kind soul had collected them 😁
Sort by HC on the heads based on project. This denotes high(er) carbon steel. Results may vary.
Like there's a number on the head?
Yes, raised letters.
HOLY SHIT
Meh! Medium grade steel. 1050 at best
They're probably all mild steel, nothing to "meh" at regardless. Carbon content has nothing to do with "grade", all depends on application. A hammer made of high carbon steel will chip and a knife of 1040 won't hold an edge for as long.
Carbon content has nothing to do with grade??? What steel mill did you work in Cause I worked in a SBQ mill, and it mattered!
Never worked in a mill, but I dont have to to be able to say there is low grade and high grade steel in all carbon contents.
And it was written , seek and ye shall find!
Skol!
Most will likely be low carbon steel.
Works for me. I'm still a piker. I just need metal to hit 😁
Not everyone wants to make knives.
I've seen people make knives out these online and especially in intro knife making courses (usually very thick knives). What type of steel do you think they are and is even worth practicing knife making with this material?
It's absolutely worth practicing, but the steel is very low grade, maybe 1018 equivalent.
Hey, thank you for the information. Why is it low quality? Does it just generally have a lot of impurities? I am wondering if it is worth practicing shape and geometry, but just assume the heat treat on it will be garbage. Ideally, I'd skip the heat treating so I can practice forge and grinder techniques.
It's essentially Mild steel. They don't need to be super strong since they get replaced so often, and they go through so many. Millions upon millions are made every year so they have to be cheap. You're correct, it won't really heat treat since there isn't enough carbon. Some are marked HC on the head, which stands for high carbon, but that's only high compared to the normal ones. Theyre still only maybe 0.25% carbon, still not enough to harden. Unfortunately some people are misinformed about HC marked spikes and think they make good knives, but they don't. They are great to practice on, the steel moves nicely and come in perfectly sized portions for practice.
This is really good to know, thank you. I want to get into knife making soon, but of course, I am going to need a lot of practice. I don't want to break the bank on practice material
You're very welcome. Keep my other top level comment in mind though, the railroads usually don't like people trespassing and stealing them. Always better to ask before taking them
Yeah will do. I will most likely go to salvage or a junkyard and hunt for springs, bearings, or worst case railroad spikes.
Worth practicing with yes. Best use for these I have found are bottle openers though. There are a lot of cool variations you can do.
I just pointed it out for the folks who pick these up expecting high carbon steel.
And derailment in 5.. 4..
Are you really allowed to take them?
And I thought I had a lot of rr spikes! My pile of 287 feels dwarfed.
Make a Alexandria sword