Can someone please provide dimensions & weight of a standard creosote-coated wood railroad tie?

Question

About to build a fence & do some landscaping with the ties, and want to know the standard size that I will most likely encounter. The ties come from a nearby rail yard. Thanks!

Answer 1

It is not a good idea to use a railroad tie in a yard.

They are soaked in creosote and over time this will leach into the soil and kill everything within about 10 feet of it.

I would think of some other fencing material.

Answer 2

7 by 8 inches and 8 ft long

weight will vary a lot

some hardwood mainline ties are almost too heavy for one person to handle

fir or other types of wood are not so bad

I have used ties for fencing for years not a farmer who hasnt. never had a problem, and I know for certainty they do not kill vegetation around them.

Why throw these away and go buy treated fenceposts? Makes no sense NOT to re-use them.

good luck with your project

Answer 3

they are 8 feet long about 8 inches square an weight will vary according to the age of the tie and how wet or dry was the wood when the creosoted it

Answer 4

What most said, except creosoted ties DO NOT kill everything around them.  The railroads have to go through every year and spray weed killer to keep 'em down.

Where do people get ideas like this?

They weigh between 80 and 150 pounds.