23 pound iron relic found in the woods. Hope it's something interesting!

FreeBirdTim · Jun 21, 2022

I sure hope this 23 pound iron relic is something out of the ordinary, since I had to carry it for 1/2 mile back to my car! I found it in the woods and near a trail that was once rumored to have train tracks running along it. Any guesses would be appreciated!

noluckl · Jun 21, 2022

Found these pics of RR brake shoes on the line. Looks like a good match.

Jose159 · Jun 21, 2022

I lugged a similar find out of the mountain and found out it was a brake shoe for a late 1800s or early 1900s small gauge railroad car. It's a nice find and I have since found 2 others.

FreeBirdTim · Jun 21, 2022

Thanks, guys! I guess it was worth the effort to drag it out of the woods. Interesting keeper!

Tpmetal · Jun 22, 2022

dang, bet that made the trip out a bit difficult. Interesting find though

FreeBirdTim · Jun 22, 2022

Tpmetal, yup, I tossed it up on my shoulder and carried it out that way! Iron relics can be a real struggle to carry out of the woods!

Tpmetal · Jun 22, 2022

FreeBirdTim said:
Tpmetal, yup, I tossed it up on my shoulder and carried it out that way! Iron relics can be a real struggle to carry out of the woods!

Yep.. i have been forced to leave stuff behind before...i still think about those left behind though!

GLASSHOPPER1955 · Jun 23, 2022

FreeBirdTim said:
Tpmetal, yup, I tossed it up on my shoulder and carried it out that way! Iron relics can be a real struggle to carry out of the woods!

I once found an old pitcher pump and had to carry it about a mile through deep thicket. Not fun, but I did and I still have it.

ManInTheWaLL · Jun 24, 2022

Jose159 said:
I lugged a similar find out of the mountain and found out it was a brake shoe for a late 1800s or early 1900s small gauge railroad car. It's a nice find and I have since found 2 others.

What is a "small gauge" railroad car?

I understand the word small, and gauge, are these the ones made for little kids to ride at parks?

FreeBirdTim · Jun 24, 2022

I understand the word small, and gauge, are these the ones made for little kids to ride at parks?

Definitely not. They were normal trains that were for industrial use. Here's an article detailing the history of trains running through this area:

https://smithapplebyhouse.org/smithfields-woonasquatucket-railroad/

FreeBirdTim · Jun 24, 2022

I once found an old pitcher pump and had to carry it about a mile through deep thicket. Not fun, but I did and I still have it.

Wow, that's an impressive feat of strength and determination! What a great find!

lumbercamp · Jun 24, 2022

In the great logging era of steam engines, there were a variety of gauges. Narrow gauges were 36" and 42". Standard was 56 1/2". Standard gauge became more common as heavier loads of logs could be hauled out of the woods.

Jose159 · Jun 24, 2022

lumbercamp said:
In the great logging era of steam engines, there were a variety of gauges. Narrow gauges were 36" and 42". Standard was 56 1/2". Standard gauge became more common as heavier loads of logs could be hauled out of the woods.

Well said

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Chipk · Jun 25, 2022

I was given a lead on a spot where the Confederates burned 2 rail cars of muskets to prevent them from being captured by Union troops. 2 train wheels had been recovered.
I dug an axle that was just too heavy for me to lift into the back of my vehicle and I had to leave it. Returned. Couple of days lter to find someone had hauled it away, probably selling it for scrap metal.

23 pound iron relic found in the woods. Hope it's something interesting!

FreeBirdTim

Elite Member

Attachments

noluckl

Full Member

Attachments

Jose159

Senior Member

FreeBirdTim

Elite Member

Tpmetal

Elite Member

FreeBirdTim

Elite Member

Tpmetal

Elite Member

GLASSHOPPER1955

Elite Member

ManInTheWaLL

Banned

FreeBirdTim

Elite Member

FreeBirdTim

Elite Member

lumbercamp

Junior Member

Jose159

Senior Member

Chipk

Elite Member

Similar threads