Railroad Screw Spike Value Guide

The Railroad Screw Spike is a specialized steel fastener used between 1880 and 1950 to secure tracks to wooden ties with greater precision than standard cut spikes. These items are highly collectible due to their unique threaded design, which represents a significant engineering shift toward reducing track maintenance and increasing safety on American lines.

What affects the value of Railroad Screw Spike?

• Condition of the threads, as heavy corrosion or stripping can reduce the value toward the lower $5 range.
• Presence of manufacturer marks or date codes on the head which can increase historical interest and value.
• The level of surface preservation, with original 'as-found' patina often preferred over modern wire-brushed examples.
• Rarity of the specific drive-head shape, as certain regional variations are harder to find than standard industrial versions.

How to Identify Railroad Screw Spike?

• Look for the distinct heavy threading along the shank, which differentiates it from the smooth-sided common cut spike.
• Examine the head for a square or hexagonal drive nut designed to be turned by a wrench rather than driven by a maul.
• Verify the material is heavy-duty forged steel, often showing significant oxidation or 'railroad patina' if recovered from an original 1880-1950 site.
• Check for a tapered point at the base of the threads, designed to bite into wooden ties.

History of Railroad Screw Spike

Railroad screw spikes were developed as an alternative to cut spikes, offering a more secure and durable fastening method for railroad tracks. Their threaded design provides superior holding power, reducing track maintenance and improving safety. While not as common as standard cut spikes, they were widely used in specific applications and continue to be found on older rail lines and in historical railway exhibits.