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11/19/2022 4:40 pm  #1


The Ties That Bind... Tracks

Wood railroad ties 7”x 9”, 8’6” long, weigh from 160 to 200 lbs, and cost between $50 and $60 each.
Switch ties are the same size but 9’ to 16’ long costing $11.90 per foot.
Wood ties last between 8 and 25 years depending on the type wood and location.
The concrete ties last about 40 years but can’t find a straight answer on cost.
The US and Canadian railroads replace between 20 and 22 Million ties each year.  Caramba!
 
Here’s 1 million ties cut over one winter by a Swedish crew in Canada. Circa 1928.


While we're on railroads, history abounds with tales of the Railroad Barons throwing their weight around.
This poster warns rather dramatically of a rail line connecting Delaware and New Jersey lines by running right through Philly.
I mean right up Broad Street, the crack in Philly's ass, claiming to be a service like a trolley car.


 


 Freedom is just another word for nothin' left to lose.
 
 

11/19/2022 4:53 pm  #2


Re: The Ties That Bind... Tracks

And railfoad ties come to French Island Wi. to die.


I Love my country, I fear the government.
 
 

11/20/2022 1:05 pm  #3


Re: The Ties That Bind... Tracks

Darn near all kinds of trees have been used for ties, with hardwoods being preferred.
Also different preservatives or none.  Some cut in winter to aid drying.
That is one shit load of ties.

 

11/20/2022 2:01 pm  #4


Re: The Ties That Bind... Tracks

Back in the day, it was said one could take trolley cars from NYC to Chicago.  Trolley network was said to be that extensive.  Before companies (such as GM) bought trolley companies.  And then intentionally bankrupted them.

That's a lot of railroad ties.
 

Last edited by tw (11/20/2022 2:33 pm)

 

11/22/2022 11:34 pm  #5


Re: The Ties That Bind... Tracks

Think of how much manpower it would take just to stack a million ties at close to 200 lbs each.
Fargon, what do they do with them at French Island?
I had read many of them are chewed up and burned to power the saw mills.


 Freedom is just another word for nothin' left to lose.
 
     Thread Starter
 

11/23/2022 8:09 am  #6


Re: The Ties That Bind... Tracks

Fargon, what do they do with them at French Island?
The good ones go for landscaping, the bad ones get burned for electricity.


I Love my country, I fear the government.
 
 

11/24/2022 8:01 am  #7


Re: The Ties That Bind... Tracks

Railroad ties often contain creosote and other dangerous chemical that kill insects.  Disposing them requires environmental concerns.

 

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