MCRR Maine Central RR Brass Heart Shape Switch Lock & Key Set

We looked hard at the keys in "Guide to North American Railroad Keys" (Johnson) and realized our key is a twin to the one shown on page 283 (second from the bottom). We had thought this was a Michigan Central set but I believe we were mistaken.

LOCK: Brass body with a steel shackle. The dust cover over the keyhole resists being slid open and snaps shut sharply when released. The shackle is stamped MCRR on one side, this is not the easiest to read but is definitely there. On the other side of the shackle it is stamped SLAYMAKER LANCASTER PA . There is a tiny drain hole in the bottom of the lock above the clevis.

IMPORTANT: This lock has a brass "tail" through which a pin was inserted to hold a clevis loop. The original pin remains solidly in place, but the loop part of the clevis has broken off. PLEASE SEE OUR PHOTOS ! This is restorable by removing the pin and replacing with a replacement pin and loop.

KEY: This old key has a tapered barrel. Two incised rings have worn almost completely away but remnants can still be seen. This key is stamped in large Roman serif letters MCRR on one side of the bow and on the other is stamped T.SLAIGHT NEWARK N.J. It is only 1-7/8 inches long, not the full 2 inches of most newer keys.

IMPORTANT: The stamping is well worn from many years of "finger polish" but is still very legible. The bit edges and end of the barrel are rounded from wear but there are NO cracks, splits or nicks, even in the end of the barrel which is a bit thin but otherwise just fine. There is just a tiny bit of a "twist" in the bow, but nothing that endangers its being sound and workable.

A really nice old set.

Item ID: 8279