Old Railway memorabilia for crafting

[dave470003]

Hello everyone, first time on this forum.

I am planning on proposing to my long-time partner this year, and since my partner is a complete train nut, I thought it would be special if I could fashion a ring myself from old train memorabilia.

There are several places online so far I've found, but it might be more personal to go to one of the sidings in London where I live (for instance, the Cricklewood sidings) and seeing if they have any old material they'd be willing to sell/give me. Any advice for how to approach them? Can I literally just rock up in person and ask them? Would they even be allowed to sell/give me stuff?

Another question is that the Science Museum is selling parts of the old boiler of the Flying Scotsman as a limited edition, which I might be able to slice, cut and refashion into a ring. I don't know if links are allowed on this forum so just google "National Railway Museum Flying Scotsman Boiler Tube Limited Edition". Does anyone know what material it's made from, underneath all the oxidation?

Lastly, in keeping with the theme of railways, I have a carpenter friend who is willing to fashion me a ringbox, I just need to provide the wood. I've looked online at old railway sleepers at uk-timber, railwaysleepers.com and ebay. Does anyone have any recommendations or things to watch out for?

Thanks!

 

[32475]

Well that’s an interesting if not challenging craft and design challenge. I’d opt for something very small and nonferrous to fashion a ring from; something like an old brass uniform button springs to mind (search vintage railway button on eBay). Good luck with the ring and with the proposal!

 

[Ashley Hill]

something like an old brass uniform button springs to mind

Not a rare one though .

 

[DelW]

Many years ago, for my work I used to use old timber sleepers by the lorry load, and they were very variable in quality (one of the reasons the railway was disposing of them of course). Some were so rotten they'd practically fall apart if you picked them up, others were so hard you could barely drive a nail into them. Many had been treated with creosote, and/or liberally doused in dripped diesel fuel. I wouldn't have wanted to try to use one to make anything that was going to be kept in my house.

Rather than try main line sidings, I'd go and visit a heritage line and talk to workshop volunteers there. They're more likely to have time and inclination to chat, and be interested in what you're asking. If they have a carriage restoration workshop, they might well have small offcuts of good quality hardwood which would be much more suitable than old sleepers!

 

[dave470003]

Thanks!
Yes my friend has also suggested brass pins as well; and brass should be easier to fashion into a ring as well.
There's actually a heritage railway not far from me; I will go and ask them for advice as well. Thanks for your information regarding the sleepers; though, for £7, I might just buy one anyway, if only to sate my curiosity about it's condition. Could always use it for firewood if it's not workable!

 

[Ashley Hill]

You could also ask your local heritage railway workshop for a rummage through their scrap bin. For a donation they might have some old brass recovered off a loco you could use.