Went foraging on the railroad tracks with my fiancé and picked up my first "anvil" a 3foot piece of rail! Now I can go at all that steel. Plenty of spikes too

Went foraging on the railroad tracks with my fiancé and picked up my first "anvil" a 3foot piece of rail! Now I can go at all that steel. Plenty of spikes too

congrats ya lucky dog, when I did the same I had to move a 9' long piece on my own into my little chevy blazer, once I got it moving my dash and stereo stopped it with much crunching and little falling pieces! have fun with your new anvil!

congrats ya lucky dog, when I did the same I had to move a 9' long piece on my own into my little chevy blazer, once I got it moving my dash and stereo stopped it with much crunching and little falling pieces! have fun with your new anvil!

I have one of those I haven't used yet, but my car coupler knuckle works well

I have a messy flame cut 5 inch piece that gets used as a texture swage, and shape swage. Good score.

Phil

I keep a car coupler knuckle on a fir block near my anvil. It is a great swedge block. Has some great holes for dishing.....

Nice score Dakota!
I started out with a piece of bent I-beam and was thrilled to have found it!

But remember, if the rail-cops show up, DROP THE RAIL before you try to run . . .
(Please don't ask how I know this)

<br />Nice score Dakota! <br />I started out with a piece of bent I-beam and was thrilled to have found it!<br /><br />But remember, if the rail-cops show up, DROP THE RAIL before you try to run . . . <br />(Please don't ask how I know this<img src="http://www.iforgeiron.com/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif" />)<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Chyancarrek brings up a good point. Taking material from railroad tracks (including spikes) is illegal. I think it may even be a federal offence in the US - I could be wrong on that point.
Be careful out there

I understand that it's illegal and all, but it's such a shame to see all that potential just rusting away. I think we all know it costs them more money to remove it then it would just to leave it behind to rust away.

The railroad near my house just replaced a lot of timbers and sections of tracks. They've since left the area and there's so much trash around the area it's kind of sad. I usually walk the tracks for a bit and pick up some odds and ends if I can.

mmmm, admitting to illegal activity on a public board?

Actually it's a federal offense to just be within the RR right of way other than posted crossings or stations. My approach has been to introduce myself to work crews and just ask. Once they know I'm smithing they've been most generous up to and including cutting rail to manageable length.

Being a blacksmith carries a mystique a LOT of people turn into something almost mythical. While I'm not obvious about it and don't misrepresent myself I have no compunction playing on it to my benefit.

Frosty the Lucky.

I believe the key is to not get greedy. I wish I could see more crews on the rail to ask them. But they are somewhat rare to see in northern ky. Or maybe it's just me? Either way I don't push the boundary of what's too much. Simply what I can carry in hand or on one shoulder I don't carry a red flyer wagon scouting the tracks

Gents,

I had the good fortune to stop by a rail road track repair outfit that had set up shop near where I live. The older CMRR lines were being repaired and the crew rented a house and barn for their vehicles and office. I asked the Sec in the office if I could get a few old spikes. About a week later, she got me a few buckets full of used ones. I made her a spike knife for her desk, seemed appropiate. A few weeks later she called me and asked if i could make more knives for the regional director, so he could distrtibute them as Christmas presents. It always nice to a ask and in this case, it pays to take care of the folks that help you out.

Peter

Word to the wise: I don't know anything about federal law relating to treapass on RR rights of way, but I do know there are many state laws against it: http://www.atdlines.com/pdf/cross-ch9.pdf

I don't carry a red flyer wagon scouting the tracks

Now that's funny!
If you ever do - take a pic. We can title it "Harvest time for the blacksmith"

it pays to take care of the folks that help you out.

That's the spirit!

I picked up a two foot section from our local steel scrap yard. Also found plenty of spikes, coil and leaf springs, a few old files and a large piece of 1/4 inch plate for about $35.

I did find some decent coal on the tracks not too long ago.

Now that's funny!
If you ever do - take a pic. We can title it "Harvest time for the blacksmith" http://www.iforgeiron.com/public/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif[/

I'll buy a mullet wig just for such an occasion should it arise. Oooo maybe I'll be Joe dirt for Halloween <_<