The small spikes with the numbers cast into them are date nails that were used in ties. The long rod with the loop at one end and the hook at the other is probably a Jayrod used for clunkers. The long bar with the four holes is probably a joint bar and those are probably the bolts laying beside the joint bar. Naturally the keys are probably switch keys and you know what the big spikes are use for. I agree, the big rusted part at the top of the photo looks like a rusted glad hand off a brake pipe.
I found these among what I thought was a box of ties. These came from the Kohala Coast near one of the first railroads in Hawaii so am guessing it was collected from there and some from the standard gage Hawaii Consolidated on the East side. Hard to believe they have lasted this long. Both ended their careers in 1945-46. The Kohala line began in 1882.
What you have in your hand is called date nails.........these were once used to identify the year that a structure was erected on the railroad.........sometimes used also as to when cross ties were laid.
There is a market on ebay for these, they range in price from 2.00 to 79.00 depending on how they are presented. You might be able to get a few pennies more for yours, if they come from the island.
The rod with the hook on the end might be for lifting the lids of journal boxes to see if they need more grease, I recall workers on the SP having similar a tool....DaveB
My guesses
Left: Standard and Narrow gage spikes
Top: Gladhand
Middle: no idea - stoker?
Middle right Top : Nails but for what?
Middle right bottom: Remains of switch points
Adjacent: Rail bar and bolts (right)
Top Right: Various keys. Any switch keys there?
Neil Erickson, Hawai’i
My Blogs
Small Spikes with numbers
The small spikes with the numbers cast into them are date nails that were used in ties. The long rod with the loop at one end and the hook at the other is probably a Jayrod used for clunkers. The long bar with the four holes is probably a joint bar and those are probably the bolts laying beside the joint bar. Naturally the keys are probably switch keys and you know what the big spikes are use for. I agree, the big rusted part at the top of the photo looks like a rusted glad hand off a brake pipe.
Cheers,
Rich S.
@Rich S.
Thank you.
I found these among what I thought was a box of ties. These came from the Kohala Coast near one of the first railroads in Hawaii so am guessing it was collected from there and some from the standard gage Hawaii Consolidated on the East side. Hard to believe they have lasted this long. Both ended their careers in 1945-46. The Kohala line began in 1882.
Neil Erickson, Hawai’i
My Blogs
@Neil
You are most welcome. Those are some nice finds, with just a little TLC they will make nice conversation pieces for your layout room.
Cheers,
Rich S.
middle
The item in the middle is a bleed rod. The conductor or carman would walk a track and use it to bleed the air out of cars
redP
A bleed rod - how would that work? Very interesting. I'd never heard of that.
Thank you!
Neil Erickson, Hawai’i
My Blogs
Bleed rod
He would use it to hook the valve or the rod on the car, give it a little tug to release the air.
By using it he didnt have to reach in or bend over
Date nails
What you have in your hand is called date nails.........these were once used to identify the year that a structure was erected on the railroad.........sometimes used also as to when cross ties were laid.
Date nails
Neil,
There is a market on ebay for these, they range in price from 2.00 to 79.00 depending on how they are presented. You might be able to get a few pennies more for yours, if they come from the island.
Charlie
Neat relics
The rod with the hook on the end might be for lifting the lids of journal boxes to see if they need more grease, I recall workers on the SP having similar a tool....DaveB
Read my blog