Here’s a photo of a couple spikes in my wee collection. I’ve tried to capture that they have an unusual “T-shaped” head, as opposed to the more usual oval.

The larger upper spike is from the standard gauge Credit Valley Rly - presumed to be original to the line’s 1879 construction. The smaller lower spike is from the narrow gauge Toronto Grey & Bruce Rly - almost positively dated as 1870. Both these lines are in Ontario Canada, but the rails came from Wales – the CVR’s from Barrow Steel, and the TG&B's from the Aberdare Ironworks.

I have three questions that Forum members can maybe help with:

a. Is there a special or patent name for this type of spike,
b. Would anyone know if they were supplied to the railway from the foundries in Wales, or would these and the other fittings be made in North America.
c. Have any of you seen similar on USA or other Canadian lines

Cheers,
Ralph







PS – Here is an identical spike I found in a wall at the Ffestiniog Rly in Wales, so I’m posting my question to those folks as well!!!





Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/24/2020 06:19PM by tgbcvr.