Is it illegal to pick up old railroad spikes?

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Techincally, the spikes are the property of the railroad. You should not be taking them without permission.

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if you contact the railroad for the ties, they will probably sell them to you and you’ll also have to sign several environmental waivers etc… If you decide to just snag them, just realize you can never take them to the dump.

Beside this, How long do railroad ties last in the ground?

20 to 25 years

Likewise, Can you sell railroad spikes for scrap?

Yes, they can be sold. Most scrap dealers are required to maintain records of ID of anyone they buy from. They are not brass- they are mild steel.

Also, Will railroad ties rot?

Both of these approaches have their limitations over time depending on how far the treatment goes into the wood. … Railroad ties have to routinely be replaced because of the decay that happens in the center of the ties.

Is it illegal to scrap railroad tracks?

It is illegal to sell railroad iron for scrap metal in the U.S., and the only people allowed to do it are contractors hired by the railroad to remove and recycle or scrap out abandoned railroad tracks. In the US, it is illegal. The track remains the property of whoever owns the right of way.


18 Related Question Answers Found

 

How long do concrete railroad ties last?

50 years

How much is a railroad track worth?

rule of thumb for new track construction is between $1 Million – $2 Million per mile, depending on who is constructing the track. Some rail clients need alot of track space to handle unit trains over a mile long.

How often do railroad ties need to be replaced?

A wooden railroad tie, which weighs 200 pounds and is nine feet long, typically lasts 40 to 70 years. Caltrain “spot” replaces ties on the tracks every week, replacing approximately 10 to 20 percent of the ties in a given section of track.

Are railroad ties illegal to use?

Are they safe to eat now? A: The reason the EPA has made illegal the use of treated railroad ties in vegetable gardens is the fact that they are treated with coal tar creosote, a pesticide registered both with the EPA and the state of Oregon.

How much do railroad spikes sell for?

If you buy them online, used railroad spikes cost ROUGHLY (it will fluctuate) $. 80/spike to $1.30/spike – this doesn’t include shipping. Buying in bulk will get you a lower per unit price and will generally save you money on shipping.

Can you seal railroad ties?

If the creosote leaches into the groundwater, it can adversely affect the ecosystem and the water quality. Sealing creosote-treated wood may help a little, but the chemicals may still find their way into the soil and groundwater. Railroad ties that are oozing creosote or smell strongly aren’t safe to use.

Are railroad ties safe for landscaping?

Using railroad ties for garden beds can pose a threat to your soil, pets and children, as well as the food you grow. Railroad ties are thick, durable, cheap, recycled wood that forms long-lasting barriers for beds, paths and retaining walls. … The best idea if you already have the wood in your landscape is to remove it.

How long does creosote stay in soil?

Kohler and Kunniger (2003) determined creosote levels in ties following 2, 5, 10, and 32 years in service. Although the loss rate early in life was higher, the long term straight line average at 32 years was approximately 32 percent loss.

Can you seal creosote treated wood?

For outdoor furniture and decks already treated with creosote or penta, the EPA recommends two coats of an appropriate sealer. For creosote-treated wood, these include urethane, epoxy or shellac. For penta-treated wood, sealers include urethane, shellac, latex epoxy enamel and varnish.Jun 14, 1985

Can you scrap railroad track?

It is illegal to sell railroad iron for scrap metal in the U.S., and the only people allowed to do it are contractors hired by the railroad to remove and recycle or scrap out abandoned railroad tracks. In the US, it is illegal. The track remains the property of whoever owns the right of way.

Does creosote leach into soil?

Creosote from treated wood can leach into the soil, or volatilize. It can even exude or ‘bleed’ onto the surface of treated wood especially during warm weather. This makes contact with the wood a potential harm.

Can you encapsulate creosote?

CreoShield™, a coating available exclusively from EnviroShield, can offer a lasting solution. Our product can be applied to a surface that has been treated with creosote to encapsulate the chemical concoction, thereby eliminating its offensive odor and reducing the toxic fumes to safe levels.


Last Updated: 13 days ago – Co-authors : 7 – Users : 5

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