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I have some ancient train track iron on my property back in the states. Its been on my property for at least 50 years and a forest has grown up around it.
its about 2 very long rails. Just wondering how the heck would i cut it up in an economical way?

any idea what it might be worth cut up into say 1 or 2 foot strips?

any suggestions how to do this?

Cutting torch should do it. Silversaddle is the man to ask about value.

Oxy/acetylene torch, Gasoline/oxygen torch would be best.

Most fun way would be thermite if ya wanna mix some up.

IF you have acess to a cutting torch you could make well over scrap value if you cut it into the right shape.

I have seen basic, simple ones go for 50.00 for a 12-14 inch piece that looked like the one second from theleft top row:
http://www.google.com/search?q=railroad ... =en&tab=wi

Before you go through the effort of cutting it up for scrap, make sure you can find someone who will buy it. Everyone thinks railroad scrap is stolen.

i guess id have to go talk to my local scrap yard and see what they say.

what is the correct shape? is it a simple measurement , say 1 foot chunks?

thanks for the help guys.

Austin

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Kurr wrote:Oxy/acetylene torch, Gasoline/oxygen torch would be best.

Most fun way would be thermite if ya wanna mix some up.

IF you have acess to a cutting torch you could make well over scrap value if you cut it into the right shape.

I have seen basic, simple ones go for 50.00 for a 12-14 inch piece that looked like the one second from theleft top row:
http://www.google.com/search?q=railroad ... =en&tab=wi

That anvil is very cool.

Have you used one of the Gasoline/Oxygen torches?

not yet, but in my research they are MUCH more cost efficient and cut better.

I saw a vid of one cutting 14" thick steel in one pass.

Careful with RR scrap - are the tracks still connected to anything?? even if the line hasn't been used in 50+ years, SOMEONE may still own it. I would definately check into legality before you do anything in terms of cutting it up etc. Even if the rails are just laying around loose, most reputable scrapyards will only take scrap from lisenced rail contractors. for example in Northern NJ - only Railroad Construction is legally allowed to scrap RR metals, anyone else who shows up with even a spike or whatnot will have issues, not sure where you are or the laws there, but DYODD, may be more trouble than it's worth.

In my neighbor's sheet metal shop there is something similar that is just a section of track cut square at the ends, so for reference it is useful for some purposes with no more work put into it than that. I have not seen how he uses it though. To get it really square like that I guess you would use a chop saw rather than a torch.

"Careful with RR scrap - are the tracks still connected to anything?"

No, not connected to anything. They have been in the woods (2 rails on top of each other) since i was a kid (aka 30 years +) and we have another rail that a pine tree has grown around.

i will check though. last thing i need is to get in trouble w/ anyone
_

Yes you can cut the rail with a torch. And very quickly I may add! Just cut across the top of the rail, allow it to cool off untill it's cold to the touch, prop it up on something solid right under where you cut it, hit the end with a maul and it will snap like a pretzel. Cut it into 2 foot crops, should get you $340.00 a ton, more or less.

I have cut up over 50 tons of rail in a day just like this. It works very well.

Be sure to ask your local yard about buying your rail. Most the time they will buy it from you if you are willing to provide I.D.
Some will, some won't.

Consider donating it to a Railroad Museum or Organization. Many of them scrap by barely with donations.