Old Rail reused

I was recently photographing Metro North equipment in Dover Plains, NY along the ex-NYC Harlem Division. I was in the area of the Pleasant Ridge Rd crossing when I noticed two pieces of old rail that had been cut, and possibly used at one point as a fence post. One section was marked "Pat 1890", the other piec had markings, but were too difficult to make out with the layers of paint and rust. Here is one photo of the rail.

I would be willing to bet that old rail, amongst other things, were used wherever possible for many uses. My guess is that it was a less expensive way to get 'er done!

Charlie

And heavy steel lasts a long time! I was amused, in the late 1970s, to find I-beams marked "Carnegie Steel Company" supporting the stairway in a school in New York (I was going to a concert in the school auditorium). Carnegie Steel was one of the companies merged to form U.S.Steel, early in the 20th C.

I've seen at least a half-dozen bridges whose bottom layer is a bunch of rails laid side by side, with concrete poured on top of them.

I have also seen structures and culverts made with rail & concrete.

Mike