7 Cool Railroad Spike Projects!

When railroad spikes are not being used for servicing train tracks, they usually end up as scrap metal and some people having no idea on how to use them.

However, a few creative designers and metal workers have come up with fun project ideas on how to recycle these age-old railroad spikes and turn them into creative works of art!

Bumble Bee by Carol Ann Saint: The colors on this are very refreshing and interesting – great for display at your front or back yard, near the garden or flower pots. Surprise your guests with this uniquely designed metalwork project. 

Notice how the railroad spike was used for the body, some nails for the feet and two metal hooks for the antennae. The wings are also made from metal scrap so it’s really quite innovative.

Hanging Cross by Garden Whimsies: If you’re a devout Catholic then you must have one of these – a hanging cross made solely from railroad spikes, which were arranged to form a simple cross. The bottom part is slightly extended with two more pairs of rail spikes to make it look like an authentic Christian cross. 

A metal ring is also placed above so you can hang it on your door or anywhere else in your house. Even chapels and the like can use this as décor.

The reason why it’s left unpainted is to give you that century-old feeling back during the time of the Romans when the Church was just beginning to take shape.

Colorful Ladybugs by J.R. Kennedy: While nothing especially flashy, these cute little ladybugs are a colorful addition to your garden or even indoors. You can even have your kids paint in the details to any kind of object they want. 

The metal worker also has a bunch of really great stuff in his portfolio so you might want to check them out as well.

Final Railroad Spike Tomahawk by Logan-Pearce: This project is proof that even railroad spikes can be used as crafty weapons. The blade measures 1 1/4 inches. The handle, made of railroad tie, measures at 12 inches and the head measures 7 1/4 inches. 

You can use this for props in a movie, a TV show, a music video, a stage play, or, for a worst-case-scenario, for self-defense (perhaps a zombie apocalypse?). Just make sure to keep it out of reach from children.

The author also made a lot of really cool DIY blade designs and projects so you might want to check them out as well.

Yard Slugs by Amanda_671: In addition to the cute bumblebee we saw earlier, these garden slugs also add a touch of color to your garden at home. Some screws were used for the antennae and the railroad spikes were deformed to make it look like their creeping in a swerving motion like a snake. 

These two slugs can be displayed next to your flower garden or near your doorstep – guests will be thrilled to see your new garden friends!

The spray paint over the flat colors of yellow and blue also make them look more artsy but realistic.

Cattle by John V. Wilhelm: In this project, notice how the railroad spikes were used for the cattle feet and some other railroad metal parts were used for the head, horns and the rest of the body’s frame.

The bodies were made from river rock. It’s quite surprising that the metal frame of the cattle were able to withstand the rocks’ weight.

Home & Garden Railroad Spikes by Kevin Caron Studios: If you can’t get enough of home décor but want to be unique then this really neat metalwork project made of a lot of railroad spikes will awe and inspire you.

The wavy lines make it look like a real dried plant or kelp / seaweed under the sea and if you own or maintain a house / establishment that have a native theme then this makes a great addition.