A decorative use for railway spikes

@JudyEv (342175)
Rockingham, Australia
September 3, 2024 10:29am CST
When we went searching for the wreath plant which I’ve written about, we stopped near a railway line which has been upgraded. I was lucky enough to find about two dozen railway ‘dogs’ which we’ve used to make hanging racks. I’ve written about them before too. I don’t have any plans for these dogs/spikes but I did see the article in the photo above a doorway in one of the towns we went through. Another good idea for using recycled materials.
14 people like this
12 responses
@paigea (36315)
• Canada
3 Sep
I'm going to start collecting those. Hubby's hobby is making clocks!
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Sep
This looks like a clock, doesn't it? It could probably be adapted by someone skilful.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Sep
@paigea That was my thought too.
1 person likes this
@paigea (36315)
• Canada
5 Sep
@JudyEv it made me think of a clock.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (69033)
• United States
3 Sep
That is a nice design and a great “repurposing” project. In America one of the things they do with the old railway lines is repurpose them for hiking or biking trails. It’d be better if they’d used some of the old materials as decorations along the new paths, but alas…
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Sep
That has happened here too. Many are walking or biking trails - and much appreciated by those who use them.
2 people like this
@paigea (36315)
• Canada
3 Sep
They turn the railway lines into trails here too. What a great idea to use the old materials for "installations" along the paths. A great project for a volunteer group.
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (472078)
• Switzerland
3 Sep
I am not sure that I have ever seen those spikes along our railroads: There is almost always a way to recycle materials.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Sep
They are used to hold the lines in place but there are probably other ways of doing it too.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472078)
• Switzerland
4 Sep
@JudyEv I researched, they were used in Italy until around the 60s. Now they use a different system.
1 person likes this
@rakski (126031)
• Philippines
3 Sep
I guess they are good decorations. Feels really vintage
3 people like this
@rakski (126031)
• Philippines
4 Sep
@JudyEv looks good for me
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Sep
It's not to everyone's taste but I quite liked it.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181821)
• United States
3 Sep
That's a good use for railway spikes. I like the hanging racks that you've done. I hope you two are having a good day.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Sep
I thought it looked really nice.
1 person likes this
@pitsipeahie (5010)
3 Sep
Another one of those creative repurposing like the bench that you've posted. Recycled stuff always makes for a unique and interesting touch in any project.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Sep
Recycling materials really seems to be taking off.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (90474)
• Arvada, Colorado
3 Sep
I love things like this Judy. Reminds me of the frontier cabins we used to visit when I was a kid.
2 people like this
• Arvada, Colorado
7 Sep
@JudyEv Oh yes, they were resourceful
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Sep
I'm sure there would have been some really good ideas in those old cabins.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (108196)
• Marion, Ohio
4 Sep
That came out looking great
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Sep
I was impressed with it. Now to get Vince to make me one. lol
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
3 Sep
I have quite a collection of scrap metal and my neighbour's brother has promised to teach me to weld, so I'm hoping to use some of it to make some decorative items!
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
4 Sep
@JudyEv If I do manage to have a go you can be sure I'll post about it here!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Sep
@Fleura Do it soon won't you?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Sep
You might be surprised with what you can concoct from your scrap metal once you can weld.
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (16686)
• United States
3 Sep
Like yesterdays bench, I like this wreath too. I have a friend who works on our local rail line, I wonder if he gets any old spikes. I'll have to ask him.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Sep
If you wander along the tracks, particularly if they've been upgraded at some time, the dogs are just lying around waiting to be picked up. Here are some of the hanging racks which we had in the house at Donnybrook.
1 person likes this
@nela13 (58710)
• Portugal
4 Sep
I honestly have no idea of what that is.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Sep
It's just something someone has made from railway spikes. To me, it looks like it should be a clock.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Sep
1 person likes this
@nela13 (58710)
• Portugal
5 Sep
@JudyEv Ohh, I get it, the spikes were soldered together Silly me!
1 person likes this
@Faster16 (3181)
• Indonesia
4 Sep
Wow, that’s a cool find! Turning railway 'dogs' into hanging racks is such a unique idea.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Sep
And they cost us nothing. The timber was all scraps that we had in the shed.
1 person likes this