How to Get Railroad Ties for Landscaping
Railroad ties offer a variety of options and possibilities for landscaping projects. They are inexpensive and take less time to install than brick or rock. They are both utilitarian and decorative. Railroad ties can be used for fencing, steps, retaining walls, borders, and walkways. The timber used in railroad ties is treated with creosote as a preservative. This protects the railroad tie against decay, but the chemicals may be harmful for vegetation and people. Keep this in mind when designing your landscaping projects. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Measure the area to determine how many railroad ties are need. Railroad ties are usually 8 or 9 feet in length.
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Contact local the local rail yard and ask for a list of building contractors they use. Railroad ties are replaced as a regular part of railroad maintenance. However, it is illegal to take railroad ties when they are piled along the track. Building contractors have contracts with rail yards to legally remove and sell used railroad ties. The rail yard can supply you with the name of the contractors in your area responsible for railroad tie removals.
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Visit major home supply stores, which sell railroad ties for landscaping.
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Search the Internet for railroad ties suppliers in your area. Magicyellow.com provides a list of railroad tie suppliers for each state. It is also possible to find railroad salvage companies online that sell railroad ties in bulk for a low price. If your landscaping project is elaborate and requires a large number of railroad ties, this is the most inexpensive option.
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Tips & Warnings
Chemically treated railroad ties weigh around 100 pounds. Make sure you have a friend or two to help when loading and moving the ties.
Inspect all four sides of used railroad ties. Avoid ties that show signs of rot or have major splits.
Wear work gloves and long pants and a long-sleeve shirt when working with railroad ties. Slivers from creosoted wood can cause infection.
References
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Comments
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filigreeshadow
Jul 11, 2010
No, railroad ties are a terrible choice in any landscaping or gardening. Unfortunately this article has some misleading information: using "railroad ties as a barrier" in a garden is NOT ok especially if one is going to eat (plant fruit and vegetables) from the garden. ""A railroad tie is treated with a preservative, usually creosote, adistillate by-product of coal tar . Coal-tar creosote is the most widely used wood preservative in the United States. However, The International Agency for Research on Cancer has determined that creosote is probably carcinogenic to humans and the EPA has declared it a "restricted use pesticide"." -- Google Answers Using railroad ties is a really bad suggestion, probably the worst I have come across regarding gardening. Please don't use railroad ties no matter what this site says.
