Posted 12 years ago
Hedgewalker
(158 items)
I found this in my backyard while tilling for a new garden.I live in a town that grew around zinc mining.My house was at one time a barn and my property borders an active railroad.Every time I dig I find something,usually old broken glass and bones are also common.
I don't know what this was used for...I'm guessing it was used for the ore car rails.If anyone knows please let me know.Thanks.
The big one is a railroad spike used to hold the rail to the tie. The other looks like a smaller version of the other.
It could have come from the tracks inside of a mine, as the rails are much smaller.
Nice find.
I think the heat is getting to me.
After posting that info I read your description. I definitely didn't read the title or the last paragraph.
I agree it is probably a spike to hold the track in a mine for the ore cars.
Now about those bones your'e digging up, I hope they are just chicken bones.
Thanks walksoftly ! Most of the bones seem to be cow bones...quite large.
I was afraid you found an old graveyard:-)
My whole yard seems to be an old graveyard !
I've heard stories about the original owner.They called him Devil Joe.I heard he was plowin with his horse when his horse decided he was done.So Devil Joe dug a hole next to him then shot the horse.The hole wasn't big enough so he had to cut his legs off.
With a story like that the name fits him.
I have some of these that one day I am going to have made into a hat and coat hooky thingy!....:-)
Thanks Sean my friend !! Thanks stonesfan,inky and Mrmajestic !!
Thanks packrat !!
The smaller one is for "Narrow Gage" light rail tracks, these are commonly sized at 1/2 inch square. The standard spike is now 5/8. And yard spikes are 9/16
Very cool !!! Thanks kerry !!! So I'm thinking my guess of it being from the mine is a pretty good possibility.
That possible or could be from a spur line in the mountains, they used a lot of narrow gage in the mountains, I believe you can still catch a ride in Colorado on narrow gage.
Thanks official and metalman !!