Concrete railroad ties?

[orezok]

I was driving through Coachella Valley along the railroad line that comes out of the LA area. They were triple tracking the line and I noticed that the new ties were concrete. I know that concrete ties have been tried in the past without much luck. This is one of the heaviest traveled RR lines in the country (the reason they are triple tracking). It seems that concrete would not be able to take the constant flexing like wood does. Any thoughts?

 

[Egon]

Concrete ties are quite popular in Europe.

 

[Redbug]

I have seen concrete ones on occasion around here, also, (out east). Mostly for side tracks, though. I did not know they have had problems with the concrete ones. I had just assumed they were more expensive than the wooden ones and that's why we see mostly all wood.

I sure would like to get my hands on a few of the concrete ones for landscape projects. No rot, and safe to use in gardens since there's no creosote.

 

[Egon]

Do a google on "concrete railway ties" lots of information.

Redbug; would concrete parking curbs suit your purpose?

 

[Redbug]

Hey Egon...why didn't I think of that! Thanks!!!

 

[Dale_Alan]

Speaking of railroad ties, I just returned from a month long trip to Australia and New Zealand and rode a train on the North Island. I noticed that the railroad spikes were actually a square headed screw that was screwed into the wooden tie. I asked a mechanic at one of the places we camped and he confirmed my thoughts. Never saw this before.
Dale

 

[radman1]

Lots of cement RR ties in my area. Seen them for several years. Coal trains running from the west all day long.

 

[tallyho8]

They have just started installing some new rubber railroad ties in our area.

 

[mjncad]

Redbug:

If you are looking for parking curbs, why not get the recycled plastic ones from Global Industrial and other places. A heck of a lot lighter to handle and they work well. I have four in my garage for the tractor, truck and two cars, and they work fine.

The one for the tractor I had to shorten to allow it to fit between the garage doors. I cut out a piece from the middle and it uses a countertop tie-bolt to hold the two pieces together. The two lag screws do just fine holding the bumper in place. The piece I cut out was used to extend the bumper for the truck. Again I cut the bumper in the middle, used two countertop tie-bolts and three lag screws to hold it to the garage floor. Works like a champ on my F-250.

 

[Redbug]

Mjncad,

I have never seen plastic ones. Never knew they existed. I will do a search on them and learn more. You are like me...adapting stuff for different uses. I don't pass up a truck flap or two laying alongside the road, orange gas pipe, sometimes a sign or two, etc...

Rubber cross ties! You got to be kidding! Lotsa things can be adapted from them, too. Tallyho...you need to latch onto a few of them. Is wood that high of a price, now?