stopped into a junk shop today.....

[NOLA_Ken]

I can't help it, I'm a sucker for a junk shop, and for old keys. Today I stopped in one and there it was a box with a sign that says "old keys 50 cents each" The pics tell the rest, the first is a lock I found on the tracks years ago, the second is my 50 cent key, and the third is when they met.

 

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[NHBandit]

The key alone for 50 cents was an awsome score. Railroad keys with the railroad name on them are highly collectible andworth a few bucks. They are also "technically" illegal to sell ever since the homeland security laws were passed after 9/11. The locks are still used by alot of railroads and the thought is that they could fall into the wrong hands and be used to unlock railroad switches and cause trains to derail. Very cool to find that it fits your lock.

I'm thinking these locks are out of service now, at least I haven't seen one in a long time along the tracks. I picked this lock up pheasant hunting a few years back and it was just laying in the mud along the tracks. I have a different railroad lock as well and will try to dig it out and post a pic tomorrow.

I agree totally that those old locks are out of service for the most part. But,, who am I to question why our government does the weird things they do. If you look into it you will find that railroad keys are not supposed to be sold (not that anyone will arrest you).. I guess it's like cutting the tag off your mattress. Strangest case of a key fitting the wrong lock is a story that happened to my own uncle many years ago. He had a tourquoise 64 Chevy Impala and went to the store. Came out and got in and drove home. When he got home he realized that the back seat was full of grocery bags that weren't his. So he drove back to the store & found some guy getting into HIS identical car. Being an auto mechainc for the past 35 years though I do remember that those old GM cars had an "off" position on the switch as well as a "lock" position. If you didn't turn it to the lock position you could turn it with any key and start the car. Maybe this is why it started or maybe they both used the same key ? I guess I'll never know

 

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[NOLA_Ken]

You know....I had an old chevy van long ago that you could start with any chevy key. I guess the thing was just worn out, but I've heard of that being a common thing.

 

[roundhat]

That is cool.

 

[allen]

talk about luck been on your side today !!