Cutting railway sleepers

Urban myths

There is an urban myth that states that it's dangerous to cut European railway sleepers because they have bullets embeddied in them. Apparently, so they say, the RAF and Luftwaffe sprayed railway tracks with machine gun fire, for target practice, during WW2. However Richard Watson has exposed this myth with simple logic: "Even if you found a bullet it wouldn’t be dangerous as it is the cartridges which are explosive not the bullets!" He carries on: "I did find this in a sleeper I was working with yesterday, luckily when denailing rather than cutting". Hardly a bullet!

Can you believe it?

An older customer returned to Nottingham to pick up some more of the new 2.6m x 250mm x 75mm French oak railway sleepers, that he'd used to create the effect of beams in his kitchen. He said in passing that he'd planked one, and that it looked brilliant. "How did you cut it ?", we asked. "By hand", he replied with determination. He'd cut it with a hand saw and it had taken 10 hours. Astonishing determination !

Chainsaw tips & massacres

1) Cutting railway sleepers, poles and timber on site is invaluable. Yet we're amazed at how many landscapers pay £10 every time their chainsaw blades get blunt (which can be often if you do a lot of cutting or hit stones or nails etc..). Why? Why lose money and the use of your saw when you can sharpen it yourself on the job in 5 minutes, for about 20p. That's all it costs. One file for about £1 will sharpen your saw 5 times or more. The total kit will cost you about £10. (File, file guide, portable vice). It's not rocket science.

2) Who are we to criticise fellow professionals !... but really... some of the knackered saws that have limped to the yard, with dangling blunt blades, and users who strain life and limb to cut something with the top tip of the saw (One of the definite NO's in chainsawing). Be careful out there. Consider a chainsaw course if you haven't done one. You'll learn how to stay alive, as well as sharpening, changing chains and servicing. It'll also give you a licence to use it in a public place. Well worth it.

A big thank you to everyone who sends us feedback! 

             

  • Please help us spread the word! If you've found our website helpful or inspiring please 'Like us' on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. A simple way of saying 'This is a really useful website about railway sleepers!. Thanks

BUY ONLINE or 
RING DIRECT

You are welcome to ring us about your railway sleeper order or queries. Railwaysleepers.com
0115 9890445
enquiries@railwaysleepers.com

WHICH
RAILWAY SLEEPERS ARE
Our railway sleeper yard is full of many different types of new and used railway sleepers. Railwaysleepers.com
THE BEST? 
JUST A CLICK CLICK CLICK AWAY

SHARE
your project and creation
We have one of the largest collections of railway sleeper projects in the world. Railwaysleepers.com
SEND your PHOTOS to

enquiries@railwaysleepers.com
or WhatsApp 07816 959310

CONFUSED?
Need some advice?
Sometimes you just need a little help when planning your railway sleeper project. Railwaysleepers.com
CONTACT US  & we'll help you 
work out what items you need.

0115 9890445

SPREAD
THE WORD 
Facebook link to our railway sleeper page. Railwaysleepers.com  Twitter link to our railway sleeper page. Railwaysleepers.com  Instagram link to our railway sleeper page. Railwaysleepers.com 
FOLLOW US We passionately love our railway sleepers. Railwaysleepers.com
GIVE US FEEDBACK
It's GREAT to HEAR from you!