Railroad items, like to find out what they were used for.

[How Lucky]

I'm new to TreasureNet. I have two Railroad items and I would like to find out what they were used for. Found them metal detecting an old depot here in Maine. It looks like lead was poured into this thing to coat the back side of it. The big one is 6 3/4" tall X 5 1/4" wide. I think they are made of cast bronze because they are not magnetic.

 

[nhbenz]

Welcome to TreasureNet!
The larger of the two is a friction bearing from a box car.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Yes. Check into "Railroad Babbitt Metal" and you can see your items.

It won't let me copy and post the patent drawing but it is here along with a detailed description.

Patent US2498994 - Railroad journal bearing - Google Patents

 

[sutphin]

WELCOME NEW MEMBER TO TNET.

 

[How Lucky]

Thank you all !!

 

[NHBandit]

Agree that they are bearings that would have been lined with babbitt metal. I found this chunk of babbitt slag at the site of an old railroad depot in Hill NH. It appears to have been melted and then spilled onto the ground and hardened. It about blew my headphones off.