Railway sleeper news...
16 September 2020 / Posted in: Railway Sleeper News
Many thanks to John for his kind words, photos and useful description of his project. Removing some old rotten railway sleeper steps and replacing them with eight 'new' hardwood oak ones seems very easy on paper, but in reality it is a tough undertaking. Lifting the heavy railway sleepers up a slope is always an ordeal, and then chainsawing the hardwood oak to size is by no means easy. Add to that the slicing up and carrying away of the old railway sleepers, and you've got a pretty back-breaking undertaking. All credit to him.
https://www.railwaysleepers.com/projects/steps-with-railway-sleepers/johns-removal-of-old-railway-sleeper-steps-and-replacement-with-dutch-oak
Read more
15 September 2020 / Posted in: Railway Sleeper News
Paul's wind resistant creation from what he termed 'the smallest railway sleeper order ever'. It's obviously true what they say about good things coming in small packages! A substantial chunky doorstop. What a great use of an old piece of weathered tropical hardwood railway sleeper, that will no doubt outlast the very door itself. It certainly won't get blown over!
https://www.railwaysleepers.com/projects/art-projects-with-railway-sleepers/small-and-windproof-railway-sleepers-when-a-doorstop-outlasts-the-door
Read more
14 September 2020 / Posted in: Railway Sleeper News
Gedling Borough Council in Nottingham is spectacularly hilly with stunning views of the countryside, and is full of 1000's of houses build with sloping gardens and drives. This inevitably leads to hundreds of retaining walls of which many are built from new and used railway sleepers. It is also home to Freda Avenue, which has been nicknamed 'Death Hill' by cyclists on Strava, and is apparently 25% (although the council optimistically term it 20%) The torturous climb has been achieved by 249 cyclists registered on Strava, (an unbelievable 29 seconds is the fastest time) although there is no record of those who've failed or fallen off!
Digging a trench for vertically placed new railway sleepers can be pretty tough, but clearly not as energetic or demanding as walking or cycling up these hills in Gedling, let alone in the snow and ice. Mind you, it's a driving instructor's dream (or nightmare) for students practicing a hillstart!
Read more
14 September 2020 / Posted in: Railway Sleeper News
Pergola, raised beds and sitting area - all in one! A really impressive railway sleeper project. Well designed, with stylish yet simple lines, and perfect balance. A tranquil place to sit that has been beautifully created. All credit to Stuart.
https://www.railwaysleepers.com/projects/benches-chairs-from-railway-sleepers/stuarts-pergola-raised-beds-seat-from-new-railway-sleepers
Read more
10 September 2020 / Posted in: Railway Sleeper News
Thank you to Vicki and Reuben for their excellent photos and description of the transformation of their garden into impressive railway sleeper raised beds. It's great to see their journey unfolding from the arrival and offloading of their railway sleepers, to the construction and final planting up of the raised beds. It's definitely a big advantage to create a railway sleeper project without any cutting! We wish them all the best in the growing of their fruit and veg, especially knowing that their Granny would have been thrilled.
https://www.railwaysleepers.com/projects/raised-beds-with-railway-sleepers/grannys-garden-vikki-reubens-railway-sleeper-raised-beds
Read more
05 September 2020 / Posted in: Railway Sleeper News
Do not underestimate the task of moving a dozen railway sleepers. Railway sleepers can be really heavy, so it makes sense to lift within your capability and remember to bend your knees and not your back. Spending a week or two in bed with a strained back is agony and such a waste of life. Avoid your macho tendencies and attempts to beat the 'Carry the railway sleeper' record by the world's strongest man or the 'toss the railway sleeper competition'! It is unwise to mix railway sleepers and alcohol. By all means bribe people to help you, but it is recommended to serve the drinks and vol au vents afterwards. Carrying the end of a heavy railway sleeper with someone who's been drinking is a recipe for disaster. They'll either drop it on you, or cause you to fall ceremoniously backwards into the herbacious border. Read more..
https://www.railwaysleepers.com/projects/assorted-landscaping-with-railway-sleepers/the-joys-of-lifting-and-moving-railway-sleepers
Read more
03 September 2020 / Posted in: Inspirational buildings
The Hickling Lengthman's Hut was built to provide a resting place for the workers who maintained the local section of the Nottingham to Grantham canal. Over the decades the hut fell into disrepair until it was eventually covered by vegetation and hidden from view. All credit to the passion and care taken by the Canal and River Trust in their restoration of this historial railway sleeper building. If you want to visit this unusual hut, walk along the canal tow path between the villages of Hickling and Hose, past bullrushes and swans, and you will soon come across this structure. A curious bit of history that has been tenderly preserved.
https://www.railwaysleepers.com/projects/buildings-using-railway-sleepers/the-hickling-lengthmans-railway-sleeper-canal-hut
Read more
29 August 2020 / Posted in: Railway Sleeper News
Many thanks for Hilary's photos and the description of the start of the building of their railway sleeper raised beds. The Corona Virus pandemic has changed life in so many ways, and has inevitably effected both the timescale of their project and the practicalities of how they were able to organise people to construct it. Great to eventually see their progress.
https://www.railwaysleepers.com/projects/raised-beds-with-railway-sleepers/chipping-norton-health-centres-railway-sleeper-raised-beds
Read more
29 August 2020 / Posted in: Railway Sleeper News
Thanks to Noel for his photos. Slotting railway sleepers into steel RSJs or I beams, is such a strong and practical way of constructing a retaining wall, and using thick oak sleepers makes it even more sturdy.
https://www.railwaysleepers.com/projects/retaining-walls-with-railway-sleepers/noels-rsj-wall-with-used-dutch-oak-railway-sleepers
Read more
08 August 2020 / Posted in: Railway Sleeper News
Thanks to George both for his project photos and also for his witty and informal build commentary of his railway sleeper pond. I sense an equal feeling of enjoyment and accomplishment, as he learned on the job as the railway sleepers were assembled one by one. Well done!
https://www.railwaysleepers.com/projects/water-features-with-railway-sleepers/georges-7-stages-of-a-railway-sleeper-pond
Read more
