Standard weight of rails and spikes

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I want to know standard weight of rails and spikes in early 1900 and now. thank you.

2

I can’t speak about spikes, but I believe that the weight of rail would have been about 100lbs/yard (50 kg/metre) in 1900 (for main lines) and now 136lbs/yard (68kg/metre) would be the standard. There are heavier rails, the Pennnsylvania having used 155 lbs/yard (78kg/metre) in the 1930s.

In Argentina, the broad gauge Buenos Aires Pacific Railway was laid with 100lbs/yard rail in 1905, and most of this is still in use.

M636C

3

Standard has meaning only in the context or a particular railroad at a particular time. I looked at a line the other day with 70# rail rolled in 1905. It was built as a shortline and I suspect this is the origial rail. Other western lines were buying 72 or 75# rail at the time. N&W, PRR and NYC could well have been buying 100# at the time.

4

I actually have an old railroad spike I found while railfanning along conrail once. It feels like it couldn’t weigh more than a few pounds.

5

Thanks was just wondering for a school project. How about the B&O standards

6

You could always put a spike on a scale… Spikes do come different sizes, but they are just cast - not done by weight.

Rail is measured by pounds per yard. 90lb rail is 90lbs per yard, etc…

NH used quite a bit 107lb rail until it upgraded its mainlines with heavier stuff.

BTW - why not throw in tie plates to the mix? Those come different sizes and with the holes for the spikes in different places.

7

Rail was anything between 54# abd 85# in 33 ft. lengths (90# rail, 39’ long started appearing in quantity about 1904)

Spikes were 1/2" x 1/2" x 5 1/2"

Tie plates were usually single shoulder 4-6 hole (some with round spike holes)

A.R.E.A. had just started and the railroad industry had dad enough of ASCE and their lack of practicality. (It’s AREMA now and ASCE is still trying to worm their way back into the railroader’s business)

8

thanks for the replys.