Cut your sleepers to your required length, which could be random for a rustic look. Then mix up some lean mortar, such as 6:1, to be used as a concrete base and haunching. Place at least a 50mm bed of concrete in the bottom of the trench and start inserting the sleepers, haunching them up as you go.
Sleepers are best constructed on a firm and level surface such as soil, grass, decking or concrete, however, you should still use a spirit level to ensure the surface is as level as possible. Depending on your project, you may wish to use sand, cement or timber offcuts to level things out.
You want to give any moisture the best chance of dispersing away from the sleepers. So no membranes, and really the sleepers want to sit on a draining sub base. Concrete would also work if you sit the sleepers into it as long as no moisture could be trapped between them, but it's probably overkill.
If you're only creating a structure that's one or two sleepers in height you don't necessarily need foundations, which means you can lay your railway sleepers onto the soil. Though you'll want to make sure you use some kind of waterproof membrane so that sleepers don't soak up water from the soil.
Making cement sleepers
The recipe for the cement mix is 6 parts fine gravel, 4 parts sand and 2½ parts cement. After deciding on the basic design and dimensions of the cement sleeper, you need to make a metal mould.
A low-strength concrete, such as a C7. 5 (1:3:6) is suitable, but it should be given 3-5 days before building up the levels at the back of the sleepers.
The mix ratio determines the concrete's strength, workability, and durability. For example, a common mix ratio is 1:2:3, which means one part cement, two parts sand, and three parts aggregate.
Retaining walls and raised beds are just two ways that these unique timber pieces allow you to enhance your garden projects. But the question is – can you lay railway sleepers on soil? The answer is – Yes you can.
HS Code 4406 | Harmonized System Code of RAILWAY OR TRAMWAY SLEEPERS (CROSSTIES) OF WOOD.
Clear Wood Oil or Decking Oil: These products are ideal for those who want their sleepers to age naturally to a grey or silver colour while still being protected from the elements. A clear oil will nourish the wood, making it supple and water-resistant, which helps protect it from water and frost damage.
Cut your sleepers to your required length, which could be random for a rustic look. Then mix up some lean mortar, such as 6:1, to be used as a concrete base and haunching. Place at least a 50mm bed of concrete in the bottom of the trench and start inserting the sleepers, haunching them up as you go.
Over time, this could compromise the structural integrity of the sleepers, leading to an unsightly and potentially hazardous situation. This is where the humble gravel comes to the rescue. The gravel acts as a drainage layer, allowing water to flow away from the sleepers and into the ground below.
If your topsoil is unsuitable or you need to supplement the volume, use a good quality bedding mix, or make your own with 7 parts topsoil, 3 part peat and 2 parts sharp sand.
If you wish to add finishes or other treatments to your sleepers, this is the best time to do so. Laying sharp sand into your channels or in the dug area of your pathway will ensure each board has a nice even foundation. Pour in a layer of around 25mm and pack it down using one of your sleepers or a tamper.
Reclaimed railway sleepers are likely to last for decades above ground if left untreated. This said, applying a wood preservative or wood oil will help to protect the timber for longer.
Attach sleepers together
Use two 150mm timber screws at each corner to attach the sleepers together. 50mm of the length of the screw needs to drill into the adjoining sleeper to create a solid connection.
CC in Train
CC stands for Chair Car in IRCTC. This travel class is popular among travellers who focus on getting premium first-class service. CC in trains is basically opted for by passengers for short journeys.
Whether you're using sleepers to form new edging around your landscape or are building a raised planting bed, gravel and sand foundations are certainly worth considering. These materials are great for draining excess water, meaning moisture is less likely to pool around your sleepers, helping to preserve the timber.
Although you may want to place your garden sleepers straight onto the soil and give them the time to bed into the ground, we recommend putting in a layer of partially dried concrete, sand or aggregate in first to avoid water pooling around the edges of the sleepers.
Fill around the sleeper with soil or sand to secure it in place before moving onto laying the next one. To fix railway sleepers to the ground, use spikes or screws designed for outdoor use to ensure they remain stable over time.
Cut your sleepers to your required length, which could be random for a rustic look. Then mix up some lean mortar, such as 6:1, to be used as a concrete base and haunching. Place at least a 50mm bed of concrete in the bottom of the trench and start inserting the sleepers, haunching them up as you go.
C40 as the strongest standard mix for heavy-duty applications. When you're looking for the strongest standard concrete mix for heavy-duty applications, C40 is your go-to choice. For this mix, you'd typically use a proportion of 1 part cement, 1.5 parts sand, and 3 parts gravel, with a water-cement ratio of about 0.35.
To obtain an accurate estimate, you can make one cubic yard of concrete with approximately 5.5 94-lb. bags of cement, 17 cubic feet of sand, and 18 cubic feet of gravel. If using prepackaged materials such as Quickrete, you will need forty 80-lb. bags to produce one cubic yard of concrete.
TYPE N. The most common mortar mix is Type N. It is primarily used with brickwork and by most homeowners. This is the best choice for above-grade general applications and can be used for both exterior and interior load-bearing installations.