JeffPo's Railroad Locks Page
Last update: 11/05/18
Locks were used on the railroad for the same reason they were used anywhere else....to keep people from messing with stuff. The railroad used various types of locks for securing baggage, doors, cabinets, buildings, etc. Locks were also used to secure the setting of the railroad track switches.
Here is an example of a lock used by the Norfolk & Western Railway. This brass lock is referred to as a "pancake" lock because it is round and relatively flat. It's kind of like a brass hockey puck, only a little smaller. On the front the initials of the railroad as cast as N & W Ry. To open this lock, the key is pushed into a slot on the bottom. There is no turning. You push the key in and the hasp pops up. For more information on the actual railroad, go to the bottom of my Norfolk & Western Lantern Page.
Here's an example of a switch lock used by the New York, New Haven, & Hartford Railroad. It is referred to as a "cast back" and is made of brass. On the front, the name of the railroad is cast in script letters, New York, New Haven, and Hartford RAILROAD. Notice that the N is shared between the words New York and New Haven, and the H is shared between New Haven and Hartford. For more information on the actual railroad, go to the bottom of my New Haven Lantern Page.
This is a brass lock used by the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad. On the lock it's marked with B&O RR Co. The dust cover is makred with B&O TRACK REPAIR. The matching and working key is marked with B&O RT (for repair track). For more information on the actual railroad, go to the bottom of my B&O lantern page.
Here's an example of a car lock used by the New York, New Haven, & Hartford Railroad. A car lock was used to secure boxcar shipments. This one appears to be made of cast steel and brass. On the front, the letters of the railroad, N.Y.N.H. & H.R.R., are cast. The dust/keyhole cover has the words CAR LOCK cast into it. This style lock probably dates from the late 1800s up until the late 1930s. For more information on the actual railroad, go to the bottom of my New Haven Lantern Page.
Here's an example of a switch lock made by the Adlake company. The back of the lock, as well as the key are marked with PCRR, which stands for Penn Central railroad. The key is brass, and hollow. The lock is either steel or some kind of aluminum alloy. For more information on the actual railroad, go to the bottom of my Penn Central Lantern Page.
Here's an example of a switch lock used by the Norfolk & Western railroad. It is referred to as a "cast back" and is made of brass. The lock is marked as N&W RY Co. The key is marked with N&W RY. This type of lock, which is older than the one above, is considered more collectible. For more information on the actual railroad, go to the bottom of my Norfolk & Western Railway Lantern Page.
Here's an example of a brass switch lock used by the Union Pacific railroad. The lock is cast with UNION PACIFIC, SWITCH, and CS1. The key is marked with UP. For more information on the actual railroad, go to the bottom of my Union Pacific Lamp Page.
Here's an example of a brass switch lock used by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. The lock is case with PRR and the key is marked with PRR. For more information on the actual railroad, go to the bottom of my Pennsylvania Railroad Lantern Page.
Here's an example of a signal lock used by the Rock Island Lines railroad. It is a brass lock which is engraved with ROCK ISLAND LINES Signal. The key isn't marked for the railroad. For more information on the actual railroad, go to the bottom of my Rock Island Lantern Page.
Here's an example of a brass switch lock that was used by the Erie Railroad. As you can see, the lock is cast with ERIE.RR. The shackle and the key are also marked with ERIE. For more information on the actual railroad, go to the bottom of my Erie Railroad Lantern Page.
Links
http://antique-padlocks.com/rr.htm Antique Padlocks. Website devoted to preserving the history of padlocks. Lots of pictures. This link goes to the railroad locks section, but many other types of locks are out there if you're interested.
Other Railroad Related Pages On My Site
Railroad Locks (current webpage)
Wax sealers, telegraph, whistle, misc.
