Re: Question about an unusual spike

Hi,

I do not think die casting was done for railroad spikes. I think they were machine made though. After watching some of the episodes of "How it's made" on satillite, it is easy to see semi-automated processes for something like nails, spikes etc. that do not need die casting.

Just my opinion.

It is interesting that the C&A became part of the Pennsylvania RR. The PRR was an early experimenter in T rail design and the less successful designs were scrapped. As the shape was not in and of itself bad, it was used by many others (non-railroad) and helped spur the development of the "H" column and "I" beam designs so often used in construction of buildings. I have often enjoyed the history of technology and seeing how developments and cast-offs of one industry ends up spuring or creating another.

DOug vV