"A large nail or pin, generally of iron. The larger forms of spikes, particularly railroad spikes, are chisel-pointed, and have a head or fang projecting to one side to bite the rail. Spikes are also made split, barbed, grooved, and of other shapes." —Whitney, 1889
<p>Illustration of two railway spikes, used to fasten the rails to sleepers.

Railway Spikes

"A large nail or pin, generally of iron. The larger forms of spikes, particularly railroad spikes, are…