5 Tips for Preserving Railroad Crossties

Railroad Crossties have an important job. They are used to hold the tracks steady so that trains can run smoothly on them. When crossties are badly damaged or too far gone, they are removed and replaced with new ones. Keeping old crossties in order is important because it protects the tracks from damage.

1. Check the Physical State of the Ties

You need to check whether or not the crossties are damaged. This is important because they are no longer useful for holding train tracks in place if they are badly damaged. If there is a broken rail, it needs to be fixed, or you will not hold the tracks in place. Sometimes, crossties are hit by trucks or cars. If this happens, you need to replace the cross ties. If the crossties are hit by another train, you need to remove them or fix the damage so that they can hold tracks in place.

2. Protect the Rails

Before removing the tie, make sure the rails are protected. Many people try to remove one crosstie at a time, causing them to fall on top of each other. This can cause damage to the rails if not done correctly. You should remove all the damaged or broken ties first. This way, you are not rushing to remove them, only to have them knock into each other. Doing this can cause damage to both the ties and the rails.

3. Lift the Ties

When removing railroad crossties, you must lift them in the air, off the track. If there are no rails to act as extra support underneath the old ties, you should use jack stands to hold them in place. You can then remove them one at a time. Often, you remove all the ties in one lift, using jack stands underneath. Doing so makes it very easy to put the track back in place. If the ties are in good condition, you can stack them to make it easier to put them back in place.

4. Clean and Inspect

When removing the old ties, you need to take care of them. If they are dirty, you need to clean them off not to damage the rails underneath. For the best protection of the rails, you should inspect and clean both sides of each tie before replacing it. A wire brush works well for removing dirt and grime. Afterward, you should paint over the ties with a layer of rust sealer. This will prevent further damage to the rails. After painting, you should apply at least one coat of cutting oil to protect the rails.

5. Store Properly and Use Pest Control Product to Treat Wood

You should store the wood in an area that will protect it in case of floods or rain damage. You should also inspect the wood seasonally for any signs of infestation or disease. If you see that there are pests or an infestation, you need to treat the wood with a pest control product. This should be done before the wood is used. Once the wood is treated, it should be stored in a dry, warm environment. It is important to store all old ties correctly. If you do not, they could end up costing you more money in the future.

Keeping old crossties in order is important because it protects the tracks from damage. The tips for preserving railroad crossties included in this article will help you remove old ties and place new ones back in place. Keeping railroad crossties preserved will save time and money when they need to be replaced.