Rail Age

[davefoxx]

I was out today for attempted railfanning, only to be stymied by the lack of train action.  However, the sunlight caused shadows on the side of the rail on CSX's Philly Sub, which made me realize how old this mainline rail actually is.  If I am interpreting this code correctly, this is 122-pound rail, manufactured by Bethlehem Steel in Steelton, Pennsylvania in January 1983!

Now I know they often grind the rail to restore the railhead, but I was surprised that this mainline rail on a heavily-used route was approximately twenty-seven years old.  Assuming this rail was laid in 1983, it would have been installed in the late B&O era and is older than its present owner, CSX.  FYI, I was standing on public property (at the B&O Holly Tree) and no trespassing occurred to get this shot.

So, this got me thinking.  How old are the rails on the tracks you usually railfan?  I would bet we can find some much older rail out there.  For example, this is rail from the former PRR's Octoraro branch, which has been out of service for decades, but is still in place, despite obviously being cut off from the rest of the American rail system.  One of these days, I'll have to go see if I can figure out its age.


Dave Foxx

[Bob Bufkin]

Dave

I'm surprised that the switch stand is still there.  You would think that a collector would have grabed it by now.

[davefoxx]

Dave

I'm surprised that the switch stand is still there.  You would think that a collector would have grabed it by now.

Me too, Bob, especially considering the ease of access; it's almost on the shoulder of the road!  Although that picture was taken over two years ago, the stand is still there.  I know where another is located on the same line about two miles away.

Dave

[Bob Bufkin]

Years ago, there was an old CV branch near the village where I used to live.  There was a switchstand a few miles away still marked Cumberland Valley.  I always wondered if it was still there.  Was in a fairly isolated spot.  Always wanted to go back and check and maybe somehow life that heavy thing and take it home.

[DKS]

Funny how it looks like they reworked a 7 into a 9.

[asciibaron]

there is plenty of rail from Steelton, 1944 out there.  the curves wear quicker, so they get replaced more often.  

[Bob Bufkin]

Next time we get to Perryville, check out the dates on the rails closest to the station.  If I remember correctly they were better than 50 years old.

[RockGp40]

The northern line of my beloved MD&DE has rail that dates back to 1906. Yes, over 100 years old and still used. In fact, Maryland has just paid a contractor to replace 7,000 ties and place new ballast, but the same rail was used. I'll try and get a good picture.

[Bob Bufkin]

Ddon't know what the date is but the rails at St Denis are marked B&O on the side. 

[John]

Ddon't know what the date is but the rails at St Denis are marked B&O on the side. 

That was done by some of the guys that hang out up there ..

[choochin3]

It wasn't me,but I'd like to take credit for it.
Some rail at St. Denis dates from the 60's & 70's.

Carl T.

[The Donkey]

At Sterling (Ohio) the mainline rail is early 70's ('73 I think) & the rail heading off north to Cleveland
(the old CL&W branch-still used daily) is 1944, if I remember correctly.

[wm3798]

If I recall correctly, the rails on the Stewartstown date to 1873 or thereabouts.

I tried to find a date stamp on the Conowingo branch when I was up there, but it was pretty caked up with mud, snow and what not.  Perhaps another adventure when the weather is more cooperative.

Lee

[Iain]

I don't know of any old rail off the top of my head, but there is still a semaphore on the Aberdeen and Rockfish in Fayetville, NC, about two miles from my grandmother's house.

[Ian MacMillan]

Lot of the Stuff on the B&M and MEC is 85-100lb rail from the 30's-40's

In Concord, NH we have some 1910 Krupp rail.