western australia

A decorative use for railway spikes

@JudyEv (382107)

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 (36143)

• Canada

3 Sep 24

I'm going to start collecting those. Hubby's hobby is making clocks!

3 people like this

@JudyEv (382107)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Sep 24

This looks like a clock, doesn't it? It could probably be adapted by someone skilful.

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@JudyEv (382107)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Sep 24

@paigea That was my thought too.

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@paigea (36143)

• Canada

5 Sep 24

@JudyEv it made me think of a clock.

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@FourWalls (86698)

• United States

3 Sep 24

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…

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@JudyEv (382107)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Sep 24

That has happened here too. Many are walking or biking trails - and much appreciated by those who use them.

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@paigea (36143)

• Canada

3 Sep 24

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.

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@LadyDuck (502481)

• Italy

3 Sep 24

I am not sure that I have ever seen those spikes along our railroads: There is almost always a way to recycle materials.

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@JudyEv (382107)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Sep 24

They are used to hold the lines in place but there are probably other ways of doing it too.

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@LadyDuck (502481)

• Italy

4 Sep 24

@JudyEv I researched, they were used in Italy until around the 60s. Now they use a different system.

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@rakski (156481)

• Philippines

3 Sep 24

I guess they are good decorations. Feels really vintage

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@rakski (156481)

• Philippines

4 Sep 24

@JudyEv looks good for me

@JudyEv (382107)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Sep 24

It's not to everyone's taste but I quite liked it.

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@LindaOHio (222380)

• United States

3 Sep 24

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 (382107)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Sep 24

I thought it looked really nice.

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@pitsipeahie (5758)

•

3 Sep 24

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 (382107)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Sep 24

Recycling materials really seems to be taking off.

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@RebeccasFarm (91297)

• United States

3 Sep 24

I love things like this Judy. Reminds me of the frontier cabins we used to visit when I was a kid.

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@RebeccasFarm (91297)

• United States

7 Sep 24

@JudyEv Oh yes, they were resourceful

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@JudyEv (382107)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Sep 24

I'm sure there would have been some really good ideas in those old cabins.

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@wolfgirl569 (135744)

• Marion, Ohio

4 Sep 24

That came out looking great

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@JudyEv (382107)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Sep 24

I was impressed with it. Now to get Vince to make me one. lol

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@Fleura (35031)

• United Kingdom

3 Sep 24

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!

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@Fleura (35031)

• United Kingdom

4 Sep 24

@JudyEv If I do manage to have a go you can be sure I'll post about it here!

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@JudyEv (382107)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Sep 24

@Fleura Do it soon won't you?

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@JudyEv (382107)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Sep 24

You might be surprised with what you can concoct from your scrap metal once you can weld.

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@Dena91 (17039)

• United States

3 Sep 24

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 (382107)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Sep 24

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.

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@nela13 (59365)

• Portugal

4 Sep 24

I honestly have no idea of what that is.

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@JudyEv (382107)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Sep 24

It's just something someone has made from railway spikes. To me, it looks like it should be a clock.

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@JudyEv (382107)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Sep 24

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@nela13 (59365)

• Portugal

5 Sep 24

@JudyEv Ohh, I get it, the spikes were soldered together

Silly me!

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@Faster16 (3248)

• Indonesia

4 Sep 24

Wow, that’s a cool find! Turning railway 'dogs' into hanging racks is such a unique idea.

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@JudyEv (382107)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Sep 24

And they cost us nothing. The timber was all scraps that we had in the shed.

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