Large Scale Central

Old Railroad Tie Found

General Discussion
#1

Besides garden railroading my other passion is exploring old railroad towns and right-of-ways. Up here in the panhandle of Idaho there are several old abandoned railroad right-of-ways including the Northern Pacific that came from Montana over the mountains and dropped into the Silver Valley where the big Silver mines were located.

You can still drive the old right-of-way and find several old town sites or water tower locations. This section of the railroad had lots of 4% grades so on occasion there would be a run away train. Such an accident happened in 1933 on the down grade side of Lookout Pass. “The Z class 2-6-6-2, #3015 over turned east of Lookout after running away down the 4% grade”. We found the site of the accident last summer on a “De-rail spur” just past a sweeping 180 degree curve. With our metal detectors we found lots of nuts and bolts that had been cut off the locomotive when they removed it.

What I discovered further up the spur is really the topic of this thread but I needed to give you alittle history first. We found lots of old ties, spikes, and even an old switch lock but the one tie that stood out was the one I brought home two weeks ago. This tie has to be really old because it’s round on the sides and only flat on the top and bottom. You can tell that the flat areas are “Hand Huned” not saw cut. The tie is in really good condition for how old it is. A little research on the NP historical site says this trpe of tie dates back to the early 1900’s before they started replacing them with square ties.

The first picture shows the tie next to my shop. You can see where the tie plates use to be. The second picture show the end of the tie so you can see the profile and the last picture shows one end so you can better see where the tie plate was.

![|800x450](http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/cncrr/Top of old tie_1_1.JPG)

My plan is to find a couple old tie plates and a couple of short pieces of rail so I can attach them to the top of the tie for a display. I’ll have to take some pictures of the other items we have found which include an old hand gun, tie bar, telegragh pole top, bottles, etc. I love spending time in the mountains. Enjoy!!!

#2

That’s a cool find Chuck,

Doesn’t seem to be much tie plate wear and minimal spike holes, you did say it was on a siding right.

Can you tell what species of wood? It seems in remarkable condition for being 100 +/- years old.

Love to see pictures of the rest of the items erspecially the hand gun and bottles.

Rick

#3

Nice find!

#4

Hey Rick to answer your question yes this tie came off of a siding. As heavy and dense as this tie is I would say it’s probably Oak or sometype of hardwood. What ever tie plate was used it had to have 4 holes but only two were used for spikes and they were diagonal across from each other. The holes are easy to point out.

I’ll take pictures of the other item tomorrow and get them posted after my doctor appt. Most of the items were found further down the right-of-way at a little town called Borax. The only thing left is the water tower foundation and a couple of Italian bread ovens off the side of the right-of-way. The pistol was found about 30 feet from the water tower under about 12 inches of dirt. The picture shows the pistol found (rusty) and one just like it (silver). It is a 5 shot, 32 caliber, breach open revolver with plastic grips. Kind of neat!!

#5

Fascinating and very interesting finds Chuck. Great souvenirs you have found. The area must be a very interesting place to search around. a little haunting I guess when you consider its past and all those who have worked there.

The nearest thing I have is a nut from a rail ‘chair’* which my eldest son found many years ago when walking the track bed a a former short branch line here. It sits now on my garden railroad as a memento.

  • You probably know rail is secured in chars fixed to the ties (sleepers) here.
#6

OOPS! sorry.

#7

As Alan said, a "chair was used secured either side of the rail by either two bolts or four bolts. A wooden block was used on the outside of the rail between the rail and the “chair” to hold things tight. The chairs were inspected by a rail gang once a week. Still done around here even with modern fixings on a Sunday morning when trains are diverted froM Sat Midnight until Sunday noon.

#8

Mostly metal springs (Pandrol system) secure the rail in the chairs now - and have done for some while.

On my Heritage railway - seven miles in length - the track is checked daily by someone walking and inspecting the line.

Good exercise for them as the line goes from sea level to 200ft. asl then down to sea level again.

The wooden block, no longer in use in the track are still used for blocking when lifting or ideal for keeping things of the floor or workbench when painting many items.

#9

Neat stuff there chuck I. Keep it coming.

#10

Chuck , nice find .

If I had that I would mount a stretch of 45mm track on it with an appropriate loco and maybe with a caboose .

It would make an interesting display piece , certainly a good conversation piece .

Mike Brit

#11

Nice find on the revolver Chuck,

Looks like an earlier Harrington & Richardson probably chambered for 38 S&W.

I have one that looks identical to your find, well, except for all the rust.

Don’t worry about the rust, a little WD40 and some Hoppes and that’ll rub right out :slight_smile:

Rick

#12

Neat story/finds Chuck!

#13

Great Find Chuck. I also have an old railroad tie that was used on the Black Hills & Ft Pierre. It was a narrow gauge line that was abandoned in the 1920s. I lucked out and found it with the outer spikes still in place. I guess when they removed the rails they thought it was too much work to also remove the outer spikes.