I used to collect datenails in Montana and like Mark found many old dates from all roads. I mostly had GN but did find an interesting datenail on the old BA&P in Silver Bow Canyon near Durant, MT. It was a 1917 - after reading the Jeff Oakes books, I found out that the BA&P didn't have any nails from that date and by the size and shape, I learned that the BA&P probably bought some used Northern Pacific ties and so - the reason I found the nail some eighty years later.

Date nail collecting is [used to be] a great hobby. With the recent "terrorist" mentality, I don't know how someone walking along a railroad ROW with a clam hammer & a bucket is viewed by a paranoid public. Anyway - there is much to learn about RR's from collecting datenails.

Talk to ya later,
Dale Jones