Railway Sleepers For Sale

Looking for railway sleepers for sale? Then there are some key factors you will need to consider and we take a look at them here on http://RailwaySleepersForSale.com.

Railway sleepers are ideal for all sorts of uses, in particular in the garden and landscaping, for furniture making and building purposes. (See railway sleeper furniture too)

Railway sleeper wall and light

Some of the main considerations when looking to buy railway sleepers and compare what is on offer will include-

• What sort of wood should you look for in a sleeper as there is a wide range to choose from including the hardwoods jarra, oak, azobe, karri and beech or pine which is a softwood
• What grade to opt for-generally there are 3 grades, A, B and C
• Whether you choose new sleepers or reclaimed
• Whether you opt for treated or untreated
• Any safety considerations or concerns you may have as a result of some adverse publicity and EU directives concerning creosote and used railway sleepers

Reclaimed railway sleepers

Used or reclaimed railway sleepers may have been treated in a number of different ways and there may also be residue of oil and diesel which may have spilled from trains.

Treatment of railway sleepers falls into 3 broad categories-

1. Untreated;

2. Tannalised (ACQ) which is a pressure treatment of the timber which helps resist insect and fungal attack and is an environmentally friendly way of treating timber;

3. Creosote and/or tar-this is the traditional method of treatment to ensure longevity of the timber. This category of reclaimed or used sleepers should not be used inside buildings, where they may come in contact with foods such as for picnic tables and should not be used in play areas, schools or where children may come into contact with them and this is the position thanks to an EC Directive concerning used/recycled timber.

The other 2 categories, untreated and tannalised are fine for all uses with no restrictions.

Grades of railway sleepers are an inexact science and may differ from supplier to supplier; however in general grade A will be straighter, squarer with few cracks.

Grade B sleepers will be older and more weathered and may have some bowing and cracking. Grade C will be well cracked and weathered and will display signs of significant wear and tear with bowing and possibly some decay.

Railway sleepers sizes

The standard size for a railway sleeper is 8.5 feet long,10 inches wide and about 6 inches in depth. But you will find 8 and 10 foot long sleepers and there really is a wide range to choose from now.

Sleepers can of course be cut to your specific requirements and you may well have a custom spec in mind for your building, landscaping or gardening job.

Railway sleepers come from all sources including Europan railway networks and sawmills supply most of the new sleepers and will range in price from £5 for an untreated sleeper upwards.

For landscapers, diy people/builders and gardeners there is no doubt that railway sleepers can really enhance any landscaping, gardening or building project. They are aesthetically beautiful, full of character and functional. See garden sleepers also.

See new railway sleepers also and oak sleepers.

Elsewhere on http://RailwaySleepersForSale.com we take a look at the many uses of railway sleepers in landscaping and building and would appreciate any contributions from readers with photographs or stories of their use of sleepers in their projects. This should prove helpful to anyone else looking for railway sleepers for sale and let them see what is possible with a little imagination and by shopping around and doing a good comparison between timber and sleeper suppliers.