This might be ridiculous, but hang with me...

[DeckRoid]

Hey everyone

So after 6 1/2 months of working on my railroad, I now have a working layout again! After tearing down my old layout, I thought I would have this new one up in 3 months. Didn't foresee a death in the family and other crazy things happening this summer, but it is up and running. Now it just comes down to scenicking. (Which is my favorite part)

Here is my question for ya'll. I want to have a Golden Spike moment on my layout. All the members of my club who helped me with wiring tips, books, and general assistance said they would dress the part for a photo op. Well, I want to have as much of a real Golden Spike as possible. I have talked with the local jeweler who does electroplating and said that 2 track nails would be about 25 - 30 bucks worth of gold and his time. However, I need to know what the nails are made out of. It seems that electroplating won't work on things like Stainless Steel.

Does anyone know what Atlas track nails are made of?

I want to get 2 of them done... one for the layout and one to mount under a photo of the gang in a nice picture frame.

Silly? Yes. But the thought of a good friend and family member goes behind it.

Thanks for any info.

George

 

[shaygetz]

Nothing wrong with that, go for it. Atlas spikes are steel, the bluing may have to be stripped off though. Don't forget to pre-drill the hole for the spike so that the plating isn't wore off going in and post pics when you're done....oh, and don't forget some kind of monument nearby...:thumb:

 

[60103]

Could you get a short length of gold chain or wire and make spikes out of that? Bend wire into and L shape or straighten out a couple of links. For a fancier effect, beat a head on the wire before bending.

Don't forget that gold spikes were removed almost immediately after being installed.

I think that Canadian Pacific used "as good an iron spike as any other on the road".

 

[CCT70]

I have some some small replica gold spikes that are in reality live steam scale railroad spikes (real ones) about 4" long that you're welcome to. I would be happy to send you a few if you're interested. Just email me an address if you'd like a few to put with picture frames, or to give out as gifts, etc. An organization I used to be affiliated with used to have a big convention every year, and I made them up to give out as giveaways, and have a 3rd of a sizeable box leftover. Let me know if you want a few and I'll send them free of charge once I get back home.

 

[Russ Bellinis]

An easy way to check to see if something is made of stainless steel or not is to test it with a magnet. Steel or iron is magnetic, stainless is not. The Atlas spikes are mild steel.

 

[tetters]

I have some some small replica gold spikes that are in reality live steam scale railroad spikes (real ones) about 4" long that you're welcome to. I would be happy to send you a few if you're interested. Just email me an address if you'd like a few to put with picture frames, or to give out as gifts, etc. An organization I used to be affiliated with used to have a big convention every year, and I made them up to give out as giveaways, and have a 3rd of a sizeable box leftover. Let me know if you want a few and I'll send them free of charge once I get back home.

That is incredibly generous of you Tom. Expect a flood of PM's. sign1
pm sent.... ops:

 

[DeckRoid]

Thanks for the tips and comments. And thanks, Tom, for the offer.

I just got back from the jeweler. The steel just wouldn't hold the gold, but he did give me 3 14k pieces of gold "wire" that are the same diameter as the nail. He put on a bead for the heads and it came out looking nice.

So, now I just need to scenic the part that we are going to photo and bust out my Top Hat.

Thanks everyone.

George

 

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Awesome.

 

[Russ Bellinis]

After the golden spike ceremony, you need to build an ho scale museum case with glass top to display the golden spike. Then you need to build a suitable building, either a museum or corporate office to hold the display. Now you can't stop with only one display so you need to build enough tiny ho scale displays to fill one building or the other. This should be enough work to keep you out of trouble for the rest of your life!

 

[CCT70]

Guys, those that asked for the Gold Spikes bear with me, I have been on the road non stop lately, and just got yesterday and today off at home and didn't make it to the Post office today, I will once I return from Los Angeles Friday afternoon. They're already packed and ready to go.

Thanks for your patience and understanding, they're going out, I promise.