Railway Sleepers in Garden

jogun · 17 Feb 2009

My garden has three levels to it. The main level has railway sleepers that retain the soil/grass. These were installed by the previous house owner and I am concerned about the possible ill effects that the oil soaked wood can have.

I have 2 questions,

1. Do you think these sleepers can be lifted and replaced without having to remove the soil/grassed area that they retain beforehand

2. I understand that the imbedded oil can soak into the ground soil and taint it causing problems in plant growth etc. I have just placed Raised beds above the area where these sleepers currently sit will any Vegetables I grow there be safe to eat?

big-all · 18 Feb 2009

there are several types of sleeper
new pretend sleepers untreated or safe
new sleepers
creasote treated
sodden with oil
treated with modern preservatives

now do you know what catagory they fall within !!!!!

breezer · 18 Feb 2009

jogun said:
1. Do you think these sleepers can be lifted and replaced without having to remove the soil/grassed area that they retain beforehand

only one way to find out.

how about a picture of said sleepers.

how to add a picture is in forum information

jogun · 19 Feb 2009

how about a picture of said sleepers.

Sorry for the delay, here are some pictures. I think these are old oil soden railway sleepers.

jogun · 20 Feb 2009

View media item 8791 View media item 8792 View media item 8793 View media item 8794
here are the photos[/img]

big-all · 20 Feb 2009

//www.diynot.com/network/jogun/albums/2305

best thing i can suggest is it lookd like tar[creosote] so best do your homework and not plant in the beds

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2003/20031511.htm

jogun · 20 Feb 2009

Thanks for that. If as we suspect it is tar then do you think these sleepers can be lifted and replaced without having to remove the soil/grassed area that they retain beforehand?

breezer · 20 Feb 2009

Those are genuine railway sleepers. They were soaked in creosote and old engine oil for 2 weeks.

jogun said:
do you think these sleepers can be lifted and replaced without having to remove the soil/grassed area that they retain beforehand?

try it and see.

depends if said creosote has gone into the ground

Thermo · 20 Feb 2009

you should be able to remove them without disturbing too much. Be aware they are VERY heavy to handle.

You could replace them easily and quickly with new softwood treated ones or oak ones. they are around the £20 mark each

Bodgeit and scarper ltd · 20 Feb 2009

I would leave them there they will not do any harm

Thermo · 21 Feb 2009

apart from weeping creosote and oil in the hot weather and smelling

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Railway Sleepers in Garden

breezer

breezer

Bodgeit and scarper ltd

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