This vintage Adlake railroad switch lock is a heavy cast-metal padlock made by the Adams & Westlake Company for railroad use. It comes with an inserted key marked for M.C.R.R., identified in the research notes as Michigan Central Railroad.
I like this piece because it still feels like working railroad hardware rather than a decorative reproduction. The lock is heavy, the mechanism works, and the key is still with it.
The darkened metal, oxidation, worn edges, and old surface marks make sense on a lock that spent its life around track switches, signal equipment, or railroad property. This is the kind of wear I expect on honest industrial hardware. I would not polish it bright.
Details
-
Item: Adlake railroad switch padlock with key
-
Item Type: Railroad switch lock
-
Era: Early to mid-20th century, exact date not confirmed
-
Materials: Heavy cast metal lock with metal key
-
Color: Dark iron and blackened metal with brown oxidation and brass-tone key areas
-
Maker and Mark: Adams & Westlake Company, ADLAKE marking visible. M.C.R.R. railroad marking associated with the key and lock
-
Style: Industrial railroad hardware
-
Dimensions: Approximately 4 inches top to bottom, 3 inches side to side, and 3/4 inch deep
-
Special Features: Working lock mechanism, original-style railroad key included, heavy-duty shackle, Michigan Central Railroad identification
Condition Grade: Good
Positives
-
Graded Good: The lock is complete, the key is present, and the mechanism works.
- The heavy shackle, body, lever, rivets, and key remain intact.
- The ADLAKE lettering remains easy to read.
- The railroad markings add useful identification and remain visible.
Issues / Wear
- The metal shows heavy age wear, scratches, oxidation, darkening, pitting, and finish loss throughout.
- The shackle and body have areas of brown surface rust and rubbed metal from long use.
- The key also shows tarnish, dark spots, scratches, and worn surfaces.
- I consider most of this wear appropriate for old railroad hardware. It adds industrial character rather than making the lock look neglected.
Condition Grade Key
-
Near Fine: Almost perfect. Very minor signs of age only.
-
Very Good: Shows light use. Sound and attractive with minor flaws.
-
Good: Complete and intact. Noticeable wear consistent with age and use.
-
Fair: Shows significant wear. Usable but clearly worn.
Collector's Notes
Adlake supplied locks, lamps, and other hardware to American railroads for many years.
Michigan Central Railroad operated important routes through Michigan and later became closely tied to the New York Central system.
Shipping + Trust (Reading Vintage standards)
∙[Photo-verified condition], no surprises
∙Packed with our protective packaging standard
∙Ships in 1 business day
∙Free Shipping on $35+ (U.S. only)
Disclaimer
All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece, please review them carefully, as they are part of the description.
I do my best to capture colors accurately, but your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.
Please Note:
These pieces come from estate collections and have been surface cleaned. You may wish to perform additional cleaning depending on your preference.
How Reading Vintage sources and grades every piece
