Date Nail

1929

Railroad date nails were introduced in 1897 as quality control to determine the lifespan of a wood timber crosstie. They also helped experts refine treatment processes, identify variations in performance among species of trees, and determine how environmental conditions and climates impacted tie lifespan.

Steel. H 6.6, Dia 1.5 cm
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 6321