cutting/working with railroad ties

[Sigarms]

Came across a good deal on some very nice railroad ties.

Approximate size is 12"x7", goes about 160lbs each.

Looking at using some of these for raised garden beds and some other areas to put rocks and such in.

Any trick on cutting these other than using a chainsaw?

Any tricks on connecting them together as well?

Used a lot of lanscaping timbers for projects at our old house, first time trying with these railroad ties at this new home.

Any comments from experience?

Thks

 

[tc35dforme]

My list...respirator, goggles, good gloves, saw chaps, and several extra chains....those puppies are nasty dirty and full of hidden surprizes. I wouldn't be surprized if you break a chain cutting them !!

 

[Junkman]

I had used RR ties when I first built back in the early 1980's and by the early 1990's they were full of carpenter ants. Tore them all out and replaced with decorative landscape concrete blocks. Ant and termite proof. I don't know about where you live, but in CT, RR ties are considered hazardous waste because of the creosote.
As for cutting them, you need a chainsaw and keep the blade wet with kerosene. Drill holes and spike them together with long steel spikes. Some people drill 1/2" holes and use rebar to spike them together. When I did mine, I just stacked them and gravity held them in place. Glad that I did it that way, because they came out easy when I replaced them.

 

[Egon]

I have useed them once and that was once too many times. Heavy - dirty - dulls a chain just looking at them . /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If they can be used without cutting and no manual handling then maybe???

Egon

 

[Sigarms]

Glad I got a deal on them.

They are heavy!

Thought it would be easier due to thier size, but...

Actually have to go pick up a new bar for the chainsaw this monday.

My wife will be happy /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Spiffy]

Heavy and dirty, a good pair of leather gloves will somewhat overcome. Especially if you can just drive the trailer along the intended destination and drop them roughly in place.

But like the other guys said, they do not do a chainsaw any favors.

Also, did you say flower bed edging? I've only worked with used ones, and even after 3 years in place, on a hot day you can faintly smell the creosote. Not sure how that blends with the flower smell....if it were me, I think a fresh treament would be in order just to be sure of a pleasant smell [I hate creosote....just like flower smells less], but your wife may not be pleased with even a faint oder. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Bird]

We bought a new house in '72, and shortly thereafter, I ran into an old high school classmate who worked for a railroad, so I got a good supply of used ties for nothing; nothing, that is, except a lot of hard work! I used them for a flower bed border all the way across the front of the house, and for a border for a gravel pad to park a motorhome in the back. I didn't even have a chainsaw at the the time; did all the cutting with a circle saw and hand saw. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Of course, I was a little younger then and in better physical condition; wouldn't even try it now. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[ronjhall]

I used RR ties to make a walk in entrance to our basement 25 years ago. Just removed them a few weeks ago. Got tired of removing snow from the stairs every winter. Like others have mentioned use 1/2" re-bar for spikes to hold ties in place. When I removed them just used a Sawzall to cut off re-bar. They still smelled like creosote after all these years.
I have a old chain and bar that I use to cut the ties. Did run into some embedded stones and broken spikes while originally installing the ties.
Also had all the gardens around house done in RR ties.
Would I do it again. Probably not. But at the time it was the cheapest way to get some landscaping done.

 

[QueBota]

Some folks will tell you that creosote and edible plants are a bad combination.

Dave

 

[Sigarms]

Ok, might use them for "ends" for some firewood stacks /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Although I do have to put the chainsaw to them to see what it would do /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif (I just goota do it myself!).

Probably be going to a lumber store in the near future.

Thks