Locks and Keys

For suggestion or comments contact Dan Reed via E-Mail

My introduction to key collecting was completely by accident. When I hired out I was given a switch key and trying it the first time I discovered it wouldn't open a switch lock. I replaced it and was told that it was an old key that had somehow made its way into the current key box.

I kept the old key. That was 1959. That key is centered in the picture.

The locks and keys pictured are all associated with Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Starting at the right is a Cotton Belt lock, next is a brass Southern Pacific Lines, an older brass SP lines, Steel SPT , brass GH&SA (SP Houston to El Paso) and last is the standard steel SP Lines retired in the mid 1980's.

The keys from right to left are SSW (Cotton Belt), FW&RG(Frisco), Frisco Lines, SP Lines, SP Lines CS 45, SPT, H&TC RR (Adlake), H&TC RR (FRAM), GH&SA, and two Caboose Keys, SP and GC&SF. These range in age from the 1890's to the 1980's. I have many others, including CRIP, MKT, TP, MP, I&GN, KO&G that are all part of UP System today. I don't really know what else to say other than I enjoying finding one I don't have.

Above is a picture of Conductor O.G. Coffey's lock and key collection. Most noticible in the picture is the "Genny" or I&GN brass lock. Notice also the Alaska Railroad lock and the Rock Island signal lock. Mr. Coffee works out of Broadway.

Dan is an engineer working out of Broadway Yard.

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