How to Build a Railroad Tie Retaining Wall (Step by Step)

The most affordable way to build a long-lasting retaining wall!
Here is a step by step guide to building a railroad cross tie retaining wall.
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Drill: amzn.to/4b57hWG

[@LauraMitchell-rt9ri]

it looks so good!!!

[@scrapyardchickens]

Thank you!

[@dontlistentoanythingisay]

If you don’t have any embedment (concrete footings, rebar, piers) and also drainage, it isn’t a retaining wall. It’s basically a landscaping wall. Retaining walls have structural components necessary to actually retain.

[@jallenlandscape752]

i would recommend addind a 2 ft tieback to tie in to the deadmen

[@TheSassydlynn]

11:51. Question. Did you put rebar behind the wall?

[@scrapyardchickens]

I put a 2 foot rebar through the back end of the deadman anchors.

[@diverdave4056]

you could have easily installed the rebar using a Hilti Hammer drill set to hammer to pound them in FAST !

[@scrapyardchickens]

Yea I wish I woulda gotten me one of them!

[@diverdave4056]

@@scrapyardchickens you can always RENT one !

[@scrapyardchickens]

True!

[@TimothyMitchell01]

great build!

[@scrapyardchickens]

Thanks!

[@TheMrCheezlezombie]

HORRIBLE IDEA. Railroad ties only last a couple of seasons. Then you will have to constantly replace them. This is hard to do when the wall has been backfilled.

[@scrapyardchickens]

I guess I was willing to try my luck! I'll have to give an update in a few years on how it's going!

[@geuzeg]

So in a world where these railroad ties see thousands of tons a day for decades, some backfill is not going to do much harm very quickly. Just have to keep the backfill drained properly, which is necessary for any other material as well

[@dallasarnold8615]

This is always a BAD idea. Crossties are already old. They absolutely are going to rot out and you will be doing the wall all over again. Trust me, I learned this the hard way on my own and helping friends with theirs.

[@scrapyardchickens]

Guess ill have to give an update in a few years!

[@dallasarnold8615]

@@scrapyardchickens Right. BTW you did do a good job doing this wall. Not trying to be sarcastic here, but have you ever thought of why the railroad removes them. It's because they are deteriorated beyond their safety rating. Best wishes.

[@scrapyardchickens]

Fair enough. Thank you though!

[@Burnrate]

Some might be bad with rot or insects in the middle but most will probably last several decades just sitting there. It's still a big chunk of hardwood. Just have to make sure the creosote wont be draining down into your ground water and contaminating your well.

[@TheMrCheezlezombie]

@@Burnrate None of them will last decades. Guaranteed.

[@kirkmitchell6650]

Looks great

[@scrapyardchickens]

Thank you!

[@mainesail3097]

YOU DON'T HAVE A CLUE

[@TarzanTreeSolutions]

How much do you usually charge for this?

[@scrapyardchickens]

This was just a job I did for myself. I don't do this for a living so I can't give a good estimate.