Part of the problem with concrete rail sleepers are the high manufacturing costs. The average cost of a concrete sleeper, as of 2011, is $42 while a wooden one is only $22 to $29. The costs add up when sleepers are produced in mass volume. Although concrete tends to last longer than wood, the initial cost of production puts it at a disadvantage.
The heavy nature of the material is another problem surrounding concrete rail sleepers. For example, the average weight of a wooden sleeper is only 225 lbs. while the weight of a concrete sleeper can reach up to 700 lbs. This poses a problem for both transportation and installation.
Since concrete rail sleepers weigh so much, it also makes the installation process more difficult than it is for wood. In most cases, installing a wooden rail sleeper can be quickly and easily done with minimal equipment. On the other hand, a concrete rail sleeper typically requires heavy duty, specialized equipment.
Concrete rail sleepers have a high potential for shattering. This is primarily because concrete is less flexible than wood. As a result, when concrete rail sleepers are put under major stress from a large train load, they don't give. With enough pressure the concrete will break. When this happens, the sleepers must be replaced which means more money must be spent in order to maintain the railroad.
