How to Landscape Using Railroad Ties

Measure the length of area you want to cover with a walkway or short wall. Consult your a local railroad company or legal contractor authorized to sell used ties to find out the length of the ties in your area. Railroad ties are typically 8 feet long.

Divide the length you need to cover by the length of the railroad ties to determine how many to purchase. If you are making a wall that will be two or three ties high, multiply the number of ties determined by the number of rows you want to lay.

Dig along the area where the ties will be used up to 3 inches deep and 1 foot wide. Clear away grass from the area as needed. Try to dig along the walkway or wall in as straight a line as possible since the ties will not bend.

Place your first railroad tie into your shallow ditch at one end of the dug area. Use a mallet to hammer the tie downward into place. Set the next tie into place, end to end with the first. Use the mallet to push the second tie into the first as snug as possible before hammering it downward.

Continue laying railroad ties. Use a chainsaw, if needed, to shorten the last tie to fit into place. Pack the gaps between ties with soil or sand, if desired, to finish edging your walkway.

Build a second layer, if needed, for a short retaining wall by placing the second row of ties staggered over the first row in a brick-laying pattern. Build the third row in the same manner, staggering the ties as needed. Do not build higher than three rows for safety reasons.

Hammer 4-foot lengths of rebar 1 foot deep into the ground in front of your railroad tie retaining wall. Place rebar every 6 feet to support the ties and keep added pressure from soil, rocks or other large debris from toppling the retaining wall.