Mystery marble, crude

[NJKLAGT]

Hey Everyone,

I found this marble on the train tracks near a crossing. It's a little under an inch across. It's super crude, has a lot of deep clefts in the glass. Is this even a toy marble, or is it something else?

Thanks for your help!


NJ

 

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[cheese]

It's an industrial marble. Industrial marbles were, may still be, a way of shipping glass by railcar. Glass is melted and made into these marbles on machines as fast as possible, usually somewhere around 3/4" to an inch, with zero quality control (hence the crude look). It could have contaminates, bad quality glass, bubbles, wrinkles and creases. They were made by the millions and dumped into rail cars and shipped to factories where they make fiberglass and other things. Collectors often refer to them as railroad marbles. Cool find, I have some but have not found one along the tracks yet.

 

[NJKLAGT]

It's an industrial marble. Industrial marbles were, may still be, a way of shipping glass by railcar. Glass is melted and made into these marbles on machines as fast as possible, usually somewhere around 3/4" to an inch, with zero quality control (hence the crude look). It could have contaminates, bad quality glass, bubbles, wrinkles and creases. They were made by the millions and dumped into rail cars and shipped to factories where they make fiberglass and other things. Collectors often refer to them as railroad marbles. Cool find, I have some but have not found one along the tracks yet.

That is awesome, my first railroad marble, haha! I was wondering if it was made to be melted down again, I had a hunch that it wasn't a toy or finished product of any sort.

You're the man, cheese! You've always got an answer for my marble questions. Thanks yet again!

 

[Johnbrian]

It's an industrial marble. Industrial marbles were, may still be, a way of shipping glass by railcar. Glass is melted and made into these marbles on machines as fast as possible, usually somewhere around 3/4" to an inch, with zero quality control (hence the crude look). It could have contaminates, bad quality glass, bubbles, wrinkles and creases. They were made by the millions and dumped into rail cars and shipped to factories where they make fiberglass and other things. Collectors often refer to them as railroad marbles. Cool find, I have some but have not found one along the tracks yet.

Well, now I know why I found clear marbles in a rail yard!

 

[lairmo]

Just seen this post. Check this out: http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/114137-marbles-polishers.html

 

[against the wind]

I worked for NYC Transit for 26 years and never heard of Railroad marbles. Lol, you're the man Cheese.

 

[Yak1366]

Cool find, congrats!!!