Railway Sleepers

[48111]

Well chaps, these old sleepers in my garden are absolutely solid and very heavy.
They are obviously very old, but how they have lasted over the years is amazing, something funnily enough that you dont think a lot about when you are working on the railway and riding over them every day. But when you come to own a few and look at how solid they are, well you appreciate their strength.

48111

[Bubblewrap]

Originally Posted by 48111

Well chaps, these old sleepers in my garden are absolutely solid and very heavy.
They are obviously very old, but how they have lasted over the years is amazing, something funnily enough that you dont think a lot about when you are working on the railway and riding over them every day. But when you come to own a few and look at how solid they are, well you appreciate their strength.

48111

Hi 48111 where can I acquire some "old" sleepers "free" for my allotment I could use about 10. For the compost/manure heaps
I have seen new ones for sale but at £15 each ??????

This may be of interest.
http://www.igg.org.uk/gansg/12-linind/railway.htm

[48111]

Morning mate, well I doubt you will get any free, I acquired the ones I have when I moved here, but I have never bothered with them until recently because I wanted to put up a new greenhouse.

People who sell these things seem to be "cashing in" on them, they can be expensive, there is no doubt about that.

They do sell on e bay apparently, but even there the prices are dear.

48111

[John H-T]

Originally Posted by Bubblewrap

Hi 48111 where can I acquire some "old" sleepers "free" for my allotment I could use about 10. For the compost/manure heaps
I have seen new ones for sale but at £15 each ??????

This may be of interest.
http://www.igg.org.uk/gansg/12-linind/railway.htm

The EVR have quite a few second hand sleepers for sale at much less than £15. Biggest problem is transport. As has already been said sleepers are heavy - ten will need at least a large van/pick up.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

[Bubblewrap]

Originally Posted by John H-T

The EVR have quite a few second hand sleepers for sale at much less than £15. Biggest problem is transport. As has already been said sleepers are heavy - ten will need at least a large van/pick up.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

Only got a Peugeot 106 & it belongs to the OH & she is very wary of what goes in the back.

[pre65]

Originally Posted by Bubblewrap

Only got a Peugeot 106 & it belongs to the OH & she is very wary of what goes in the back.

If you were not quite so far away I would offer to pick them up for you in my big van.

[Bubblewrap]

Originally Posted by pre65

If you were not quite so far away I would offer to pick them up for you in my big van.

Thanks mate it's only a dream my heaps are made of old pallets got for free from skips.

[pre65]

Originally Posted by Bubblewrap

Thanks mate it's only a dream my heaps are made of old pallets got for free from skips.

Most of my winter firewood is old pallets from a mates motorcycle shop.

Although I will now get the winter fuel allowance this winter.

[Ploughman]

From a railway component weight chart. New material.
Hardwood sleepers - 92kg
Softwood sleepers - 54kg

[Bubblewrap]

Originally Posted by John H-T

There is another problem with hardwood sleepers: drilling the holes in them. We have to double drill them and it is still hard work hammering in the spikes! We also get through a lot of drill bits!

Best wishes,

John H-T.

Surely there's a machine that would drill four holes at once the railway companies would have had one.