Railroad Ties

[Bobster]

Greetings all,

While searching for broad-axe use I found a You Tube video called "Brotherhood of the Broadaxe".  It was done by PBS of Wyoming and documents railroad tie making from tree cutting to creosoting in the early to mid 20th century.   I would guess the ties were for the UP but I don't recall hearing what road they were for.  Tie makers were called tie hackers.  The lives of these people are documented too with first hand interviews.  I was impressed by the sheer volume of ties made.  I'll leave it at this so you can check it out for yourself. 

Please remind me how to make an active link.

Thank you,
Bobster

[MK]

This?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkjXqmmaP-U

[Bobster]

That's it. 
Takes a minute for the PBS to go away and the show to start.

Thank you,
Bobster

[Missaberoad]

What kind of broad axe did you wind up choosing?

[Dave V]

Very cool...thanks for sharing!  The back way to Laramie from Denver goes through a town along the UP called "Tie Siding."  No trees anywhere near, though...

[Bobster]

Missaberoad,

The broad axe has no name on it. It has light rust with a little pitting.  I put WD40 on it as soon as I got it home.  The handle needs replaced as it has a crack.  I'm going to sand the end of the handle to see which way the grain is going.  I can put up some pictures this evening.  I still am in the middle of cleaning up and older Vaughan sub zero double bit cruiser axe.

Break is over, gotta run,
Bobster

[Bobster]

Greetings,

As promised.  The broadaxe, a Fiskars hatchet like you can get at Lowe's, and a Vaughan half hatchet.  The caboose is an N-scale Atlas wide vision.  I also made the sheaths for the hatchets.  The blade is just under 12 inches wide. [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Bobster out