Are old railway sleepers safe?

Railway sleepers were often coated in Creosote in order to protect them from the elements and from insect infestation. Creosote also extends the life of wood but it is hazardous to the environment. As long as creosoted sleepers are not used around children, food or indoors, it is fine to still use them.

Is there asbestos in railway sleepers?

Used railway sleepers contain asbestos Even though asbestos train brake linings were phased out in the mid 1980’s, many old sleepers pre-date this time. As long as they are not disturbed they do not present a hazard, but if the sleepers are burnt, the deadly asbestos fibres will be released.

What can I do with old railway sleepers?

Ideas for Using Railway Sleepers in Your Garden

• Raised beds. You can use softwood or hardwood railway sleepers to make raised beds for flowers or vegetables.
• Lawn or path edging.
• A children’s sandpit.
• Steps.
• Retaining wall.
• Garden furniture.

What are old railway sleepers made of?

Railway sleepers may be made of hardwoods or softwoods, these being used for different purposes and under different conditions. Hardwood railway sleepers are made chiefly from oak, beech, and hornbeam; softwood railway sleepers from Scots pine, maritime pine (Pines pinaster), and larch.

Can you lay railway sleepers on soil?

Can you lay railway sleepers on soil? Yes you can. If you’re only creating a structure that’s one or two sleepers in height you don’t necessarily need foundations, which means you can lay your railway sleepers onto the soil.

How do you prevent sleepers from rotting?

Wood Preserver Wood preservative treatments provide garden sleepers with protective properties that help prevent rot, mould and fungal growth, as well as help to form a defence against the elements. It is best to apply a wood preservative before installation of your sleeper, so that you can paint all sides.

Is it OK to burn sleepers?

Don’t burn railway sleepers, says the Firewood Association. Used railway sleepers can contain asbestos. Fibres from older train’s asbestos brake linings can become trapped in cracks in the railway sleepers. As long as they are not disturbed they are safe, but they can be released when the railway sleepers are burnt.

Can you burn railway sleepers in a log burner?

Never burn waste wood or garden wood that has been treated chemically, chipboard, old railway sleepers or other processed wood. Combustion vapours may be released during the combustion of processed and treated wood. Besides being unsafe, this is also very harmful to the environment.

How do you lay railway sleepers as the garden border?

Cut your sleepers to your required length, which could be random for a rustic look. Then mix up some lean mortar, such as 6:1, to be used as a concrete base and haunching. Place at least a 50mm bed of concrete in the bottom of the trench and start inserting the sleepers, haunching them up as you go.

Can you put sleepers on soil?

Can one person lift a railway sleeper?

For example the 2.6m x 300mm x 175mm size of tropical hardwood railway sleepers CANNOT be lifted by mere mortals. They are too heavy. (120kg – 140kg each). You’ll need a forklift machine or an extensive search in your local parish magazine for recently furloughed Olympic weightlifters.