Own Some Vintage Transportation History With Collectible Railroad Spikes
Railroad nails or spikes are special kinds of fasteners with offset heads that were designed to secure base plates or rails to ties on the track. If you're interested in displaying pieces of history from railroad companies of the past, you can find a wide array of collectible spikes or nails for sale at reasonable prices on eBay. Getting to know a bit about the design elements of these accessories can help you expand your options for railroad spikes.
Choosing steel for your railroad nailsMost railroad spikes for sale on eBay come with a couple of main kinds of steel as basic materials. The steel composition in the railroad nails can determine some of the designs or features you might get with your choice. Here are the main kinds of spikes you will come across during your search:
- Stainless - This type of steel usually features a chrome finish and is intended to provide some durability once the spike is driven into the rail or plate.
- Carbon - Railroad spikes with high carbon contents have similar features to their stainless steel counterparts. However, the extra carbon in the nails can take on a unique patina as they age.
Yes. Although many of the railroad spikes you will come across for sale on eBay will be vintage items in used condition, you can still find new nails that have not been fitted to any plates or rails yet. Brand-new railroad nails will generally have the shiny, chrome finish that you might expect from steel components that have not yet seen exposure to the elements. If you're looking to pick up a lot of railroad spikes to expand your collection and if you want to stay within a fixed budget, you can purchase cheap nails that have already been used at reasonable prices on eBay. Some pre-owned railroad spikes may have normal signs of wear.
Complete sets of railroad nails or spikesAlthough you can purchase a single railroad spike from specific lines or years, you can also find a whole set of several spikes for sale in one bundle on eBay. Purchasing a set of railroad tie nails can be an efficient way to start or to expand your collection of spikes while keeping one low-cost price that works for you. You can find both new and secondhand sets of railroad nails for sale. Individual railroad tie nails are also available with chrome coatings or in fun shapes for decorative purposes.