Is railroad spikes good for knives?

Are railroad spikes Hardenable?

The vast majority of railroad spikes are too low in carbon to be hardened any more than trivial amounts without additional treatment like case hardening. Once and a while you find a spike with MC or HC stamped on the head that actually does have enough carbon to be hardened.

Is it legal to pick up railroad spikes?

Techincally, the spikes are the property of the railroad. You should not be taking them without permission.

Are railroad spikes good for forging?

Rail spikes are excellent for forging – they're already a great size to work with and they're very malleable. Avoid hitting them when they're cold, though. They'll have a tendency to crack, depending on actual composition.

Can you scrap railroad spikes?

Yes, they can be sold. Most scrap dealers are required to maintain records of ID of anyone they buy from. They are not brass- they are mild steel. Price is likely to be less than cost of gas to drive them to a dealer.

Are railroad tracks hardened steel?

Railroad track steel is typically 1084 or equivalent hot rolled steel. ... This type of steel is great for heat treating. It's tough, through-hardening, and forgable. Let's go over the properties of this metal, some effective ways of working with it, as well as some good applications for the grade.

Why railway tracks do not rust?

Compared with the steel used for buildings, the steel in a rail is composed of a higher quality steel alloy, which is less susceptible to corrosion. ... A steel rail also has a thicker cross section. When the rust forms on the face of the rail it acts as a barrier which then slows the rate of corrosion.

Why is there gap between railway tracks?

The gaps left between successive rails on a railway track, the reason is that the rails expand in summer. The gap is provided to allow for this expansion. If no gap is left, the expansion in summer will cause the rails to bend sideways. That will result in train accidents.

Can you lay between train tracks?

So the answer is yes – it is possible to survive lying under the oncoming train, but it is very unlikely that you could survive that without a major injury. It is a good idea to stay away from railroad tracks. Just by hanging around such places you are putting yourself in danger.

Can a penny derail a train?

A penny left on a track does not typically derail a train. A train speeding along its track is a very heavy object with an immense amount of momentum. The penny is simply too light to do much of anything. ... Flattening pennies using trains is still dangerous though; to the people placing the pennies.

Is putting a penny on a train track illegal?

Trespassing the railway track itself is illegal. The act of placing a coin on the rail is illegal too. Originally Answered: Is it legal to put a penny on a train track? Regardless of the track ownership, it is illegal to deface or destroy any US currency, so never legal.

Can you survive lying under a train?

YES, it is possible to survive the passing of a train whilst you lie, as thinly as you can, betwixt the rails.

Do hobos still exist?

When you think of hobos riding the rails across America, you probably think of the Great Depression or other bygone eras. Yet you may be surprised to learn train-hoppers are alive and well in modern-day America -- and, what's more, around the world.

Do you die if you touch the third rail?

– The 'third rail' looks like a normal railway rail, but is electrified. The electricity is so strong that if you touch the rail, you will be seriously injured or killed. – The third rail and overhead lines have electricity flowing through them at all times and are never switched off.

Why can't you hear a train coming?

Is it true that if you are on the railroad track, you can't hear a train coming? ... Most of the noise a train makes is radiated out to the side of the train. The front engine of the train blocks most of the little noise projecting forward, so really the locomotive is what you hear from an oncoming train.

Why do trains scare me?

Fears Related to Train Tracks The phobia of train tracks generally hinges on two main concerns: the fear of accidentally being stuck on the tracks and the fear of being pushed. These fears often encompass not only railroad tracks, but subway tracks as well.

Why do trains whistle at night?

The train whistle, or horn, is an important part of our safety practices. The horn alerts people that a train is approaching a railroad crossing. It can also be used to warn animals or trespassers in our right-of-way along a section of track.

How far away should you live from train tracks?

To avoid the immediate destruction from train cars derailing and striking buildings near the tracks, you would want to be at least 500–1,000 feet away from the nearest track. In the case of chemical spills, hazardous gas releases or fires and explosions, you need to be almost ten miles away from the tracks.

How far away can you feel a train vibration?

You may be able to feel the waves from miles away or metres away. You don't want to be near the track as a high speed train travels over 50 metres per second.

How do you know if a train track is active?

First, check the largest railroads in your area (NS, UP, BNSF, etc) and see if they have it listed as an active line. Next, check the quality of the rails. Shinier rails means more trains. If tracks have rust and weeds growing high up, trains are less likely to still use it, however, there are exceptions.

Is it illegal to walk on abandoned train tracks?

Train tracks are private property. Walking or riding on any railroad right of way or other railroad property without the permission of the railroad is trespassing and illegal. Violators will be prosecuted, and they risk the possibility of serious, even fatal, injury.

What happens if you put rocks on train tracks?

The crushed stones around train tracks are what is known as ballast. Their purpose is to hold the wooden cross ties in place, which in turn hold the rails in place. ... The answer is to start with the bare ground, and then build up a foundation to raise the track high enough so it won't get flooded.

Why are trains allowed to block traffic?

Railroads and railroaders do not intentionally block crossings; unavoidable circumstances and rules to protect public safety sometimes necessitate that trains block intersections. Common reasons for a blocked crossing are waiting on the arrival of another train to pass or waiting to enter a rail yard.

Why do trains stop and go backwards?

Back and forth movements of trains usually means the train is being switched by changing the location of certain cars within the train or into or out of different tracks in a rail yard. It also could be for the purpose of building an outbound train, or breaking up an inbound train at a classification or storage yard.

Why do trains stop in the middle of the road?

Something blocking the tracks, route intersects with another train, derailing, track damage, etc. Maybe the train is ahead of schedule. Maybe a train ahead of them on the track is delayed.