Existing comment:
Switch Tie:
This tie was excavated about 100 feet behind the station, in the area of the backhoe seen in the photograph. It was identified as a switch tie from the pattern of double spike holes at each end.
In the 1860s railroad switches operated differently from modern switches in that there were no moveable switch points to align the rails with either the main or diverging track. As shown in the above illustration, the approach trails moved to align with either set of stationary rails in the main or diverging track. Where these two sets of rails met the moveable approach rails they were parallel and very close together, thus the double set of spike holes in this tie which identify it as a tie adjoining the moveable approach rails of a switch.
The site from which this tie was excavated positively located the position of the 1860s track switch which enabled an arriving or departing train to access or leave the station track. |