NOTICE: We are on break from April 6 – May 1. Shop is closed. All orders will ship starting May 2 on return.
NOTICE: We are on break from April 6 – May 1. Shop is closed. All orders will ship starting May 2 on return.
$210.00
One "Fancy Cast Back" heart-shaped brass switch lock from the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR). The solid brass padlock features a stylized, three-dimensional embossed monogram reading "PRRCo" intertwined across the front face. The textured background has a dark, seasoned finish, while the raised lettering, heavy shackle, and lower floral flourishes showcase a bright, metallic brass. The lower tip terminates in a pivoting teardrop drop-gate designed to protect the internal keyway from outdoor elements. The lower keyway is exposed, missing its original pivoting teardrop dust cover. The piece has been clear coated to protect it from moisture. No hollow-barrel key. A custom handmade display stand crafted from wrought iron and wood is included to display the rare ornate lock.
The Pennsylvania Railroad, chartered in 1846, was the largest transportation system in American history. Known as the "Standard Railroad of the World," the PRR operated a massive network stretching across the Northeast and Midwest. Because of its immense financial success, the railroad commissioned heavily customized, ornate hardware—such as decorative "fancy back" cast locks—to protect company property and visually reinforce its premium corporate brand.
This style of lock was produced around the turn of the century by prominent manufacturers like the E.T. Fraim Lock Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Slaymaker. These security devices were engineered for heavy-duty operational use, securing track switches, signals, and tool sheds against harsh environments and theft. The unique raised lettering was cast directly into the foundry mold, a premium manufacturing technique that was later phased out in favor of cheaper, flat-stamped steel designs.
The PRR holds a legendary status in industrial history for historic engineering feats like the landmark Pennsylvania Station in New York City and the Horseshoe Curve. At its peak, the corporation managed a budget larger than the United States government and controlled over 10,000 miles of rail line. Following mid-century economic declines, the PRR merged to form the Penn Central Transportation Company in 1968, marking the end of an era for the iconic hardware that once secured the nation's busiest rails.