An average railroad tie is 8.5 feet long, 9 inches wide and 7 inches thick. Longer ties can hold heavier weight as the tie has an increased ground contact area. Longer ties also give tracks more stability.
Creosote is the thick, black goo wooden railroad ties are treated with to preserve the wood. Utility poles are also treated with the same chemical. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified creosote as a probable carcinogen, because studies have shown an increased risk of cancer and respiratory problems in people that work with the chemicals. When handling creosote, wear gloves and long sleeves. Do your best to minimize your time around the chemicals and work in a well-ventilated area.
The Railroad Tie Association says 3 percent of all railroad tracks are replaced each year for maintenance and disposal. Throughout this process, 13 million ties are removed from the tracks annually.
Discarded railroad ties are reused in landscaping to make raised plant beds, borders and terraces. Before using railroad ties in your garden, ensure the ties are free of creosote which the EPA has deemed unsafe around plants you plan to digest. Bike paths and fencing construction are also made from old railroad ties. About half the discarded railroad ties end up in landfills each year.
