Posted 9 years ago
pajrr
(102 items)
I was given this large key as a gift. It is marked PCRR (Penn Central). The key is much larger than the PCRR key I have photographed it with. The reverse of the key is marked ADLAKE, with the first "A" upside down. The lettering is the same style and large face as the PCRR marking on the key. Has anyone ever seen another key like this? Is it a true railroad key? Any information anyone can give me is welcome. pajrr
What you have are referred to as "barrel keys". They were used on railroad switch box paddle locks, to name one application.
http://www.rubylane.com/item/1263777-COTHL-Ax2eA-L11/Vintage-Adlake-PCRR-Penn-Central-Railroad
http://www.adlake.com/
The larger Penn Central key is the normal key for Penn Central. I have not seen the smaller one but many railroads used several different key bit cuts for different uses. The larger key for main line switch locks and the smaller may be for Repair Track switch locks or M of W section crew locks. I have seen the smaller key bit cut (or similar) on NYCS keys. Penn Central was created by the 1968 merger of the Pennsylvania railroad and New York Central railroad.
I didn't know the railroads used paddles . Why did they need to lock them ?
slackjack - Are you referring to the comment by frisco where it says "railroad switch box paddle locks"?
If so, I'm sure that should be pad locks. Railroads do use special pad locks on the track switches and signal boxes. Now days they use high security pad locks that are very hard to be picked if they can be picked at all.