Railroad Express Agency Express Security Seal

Object/Artifact

Broomfield History Collections

Name/Title

Entry/Object ID

1980.11.2

Description

This is globe security seal, an 8" long metal band with a metal ball on one end. "REA EXP." and "J-728901" are embossed on the band. REA EXP. was the acronym for the Railroad Express Agency's express service. The seal measures 0.75" (w) x 8" (l). The bands were used to seal rail car doors. After freight was loaded into a car these bands were placed through the door handles and one end of the band was threaded into a ball at the other end. When the car reached its destination it was inspected by freight yard workers. Removing the band required cutters or snippers. If the seal/band was broken or tampered with then they knew the car may have been opened in transit. Date: Unable to date security seal at the time of cataloguing. The REA existed from 1917 to 1975; 1946 is in the middle.

Collection

Permanent Collection

Made/Created

Date made

1917 - 1975

Notes

Date: 1946 circa

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Seal, Railcar

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Component, Rail Vehicle

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Rail Transportation Accessories

Nomenclature Class

Rail Transportation Equipment

Nomenclature Category

Category 07: Distribution & Transportation Objects

Parts

Count

Provenance

Notes

1980-According to note on registration sheet Karen McGuire bought these at a rail fair.