Railroad Tool

[lptools]

 Hello, I could use some help with this one. Hard to find an accurate source for its actual use. I know that it is missing a long wooden pole/handle. I have tried a lot of different combinations for the Patent Date , but no luck. Does anyone have one of these laying around?  Thanks, Lou

[mikeswrenches]

I’ve got a half a dozen of them laying around, but I don’t have a clue either 

How do you know it’s a railroad item?

Mike

[lptools]

Hello, Mike. I had a pretty good idea , as I have sold a few before, but could not remember the exact term. . Thanks, Lou

[mikeswrenches]

Now I need to buy a short line RR so I can put all mine to use

On a more serious note, I looked through about 600 patents on DATAMP but didn’t see anything in the description s that was even close to what you said it is. I see now how it works. Actually looks like a good idea.

Mike

[lptools]

Hello, Mike . Thanks for looking, I looked at  close to a couple hundred. I wish that I could make out the date on the frame, but it is too worn. I see a few of these on ebay, etsy, and Worthpoint. Those folks posted patent dates in the listings which are not valid dates. The guy that I bought it from said it was a spike puller, rail lifter, and tie lifter. I can't prove, or, disprove that description, so for right now I am going to call the tool Railroad Rail Lifting Tongs. I'm waiting for skipskip to chime in, I bet he has a couple of these, too.  Take care, stay safe, Lou

[Danks]

Try Pat. No. 598,526, Feb. 8, 1898 - Edward C. Lott, of DE KALB, Illinois Assignor to the I. L. Ellwood Manufacturing Company, of same place.
WIRE FENCE STRETCHER
Cheers

[lptools]

Hello, Danks. Thank you, this is the most beastly looking Chain Stretcher I have ever seen, I can't imagine trying to hold this horizontally!!. My apologies to Mikeswrenches for leading you astray!! Wait until I see my b'in-law, he is going to love this 

[humber2]

Google Hayes Wire Strainer for the New Zealand version.

[lptools]

Hello, humber2. Thanks for the info, I will take a look!!!

[mikeswrenches]

Lou, No apologies necessary, although it looks like I’ll have to put my Short Line RR plans on hold and instead opt for a ranch.

Good job Danks!

Mike

[lptools]

Hello, Guys. Thanks again for all of the info, and comments!! I have learned something new with the term "Wire Strainer", although the one that I have here feels more like a "Back Strainer" 

 And a safe & Happy 4th of July to all!!!

[wvtools]

The guys I have run into that used them called them Chain Walker Fence Stretchers. 

I met an old railroad guy one time that said they used them to pull railroad spikes in odd situations -- around switches and particularly on the outside spikes on a trestle where there is nothing but air to pry against with the spike pulling bars.  They would hook the inside hook under the rail and then put the outside hook under the spike and pull it.

The same guy told me that he worked with a man that probably had the best hand-eye coordination he had ever seen.  He said in 20 years of working with him, he never once missed a railroad spike with the spike hammer.