Publications
Online Publications
We hope you will find the below online publications useful in your research about wood crossties.
Questions?
Questions about something you see or don't see on this page? Please contact us by phone at 770-460-5553 or by email at ties@rta.org.
Tie Economics
- 2008 Track-Traffic Density
- Assessment of Concrete Tie Life on US Freight Railroads
- Class 1 Wood Crosstie Insertions in the U.S. 1921-2013
- Determination of Effect of Introduction of Dual Treatment Borate-Creosote Ties on Average Tie Life
- Life Cycle Assessment of Creosote-Treated Wooden Railroad Crossties
- TieInspect Tool
- Wood v Steel Report Final
Tie Performance & Inspection
Ties
- Aurora Report Final 10-26-2009
- Compression Bending of Steamed Treated Hardwoods 2014 Arch Wood
- Derailment Index Final
- Forest Products Curve Update 2008 Final
- Increasing the Lateral Resistance of Wood Tie Track
Fasteners
- Evaluation of Life Cycle Cost of Tie Fastener Systems
- Evaluation of Nail Plates as an Anti-Splitting Device
- Major Findings of Wood Tie and Fastener Performance
- Wood Tie Fastener Performance Specs
Wood Preservation
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Tie & Wood Treating
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Dual Treatments
- Borate-Creosote Alternative Crosstie Treatment Processes - Response from TASKpro
- Determination of Effect of Dual Treatment on Average Tie Life & Wood Tie Life Cycle Costs
- Letter to Editor from TASKPro
- Norfolk Southern, RTA Showcase Long-Term Research - Field Trip to 23-Year-Old Test Site Eye-opening for 50 Wood Tie Industry Members
- RTA_AWPRP Presentation
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Borate Rods
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Creosote Alternatives
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AWPRP
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Ongoing Phase I Field Test Reports
- Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives- 9th Annual Inspection Report
- Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives- 10th Annual Inspection Report
- Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives- 11th Annual Inspection Report
- Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives- 12th Annual Inspection Report
- Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives- 14th Annual Inspection Report
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Ongoing Phase 2 Field Test Reports
- Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives Year 4 Phase 2 Inspection Report
- Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives Year 5 Phase 2 Inspection Report
- Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives Year 6 Phase 2 Inspection Report
- Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives Year 7 Phase 2 Inspection Report
- Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives Year 10 Phase 2 Inspection Report 2022
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Tie Life Cycle
- 2018 Railroad Tie Survey by Stephen Smith
- Benefits of Creosote-Preserved Wood
- California Variances for Treated Wood Waste Disposal Infographic
- Western Wood Preservers Institute Review of the California Department of Toxic Substance Control Variances for Treated Wood Waste
- Wood Crosstie End-of-Life Recycling Survey
Safety Publications
Alternative Materials
Helpful Links
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New Online Tie Specifications Booklet Order Form - To Come
- SelecTie III Modeling Tool from Oregon State University
- Research: Nondestructive & Destructive Testing of Wood Railroad Ties
Dr. Alan Zarembski Papers
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Rail Life
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Rail Fatigue
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Rail Wear & Lubrication
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Rail Grinding
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Track Structures
- Continuous Measurement of Track Gauge Strength
- Distribution of Vertical Wheel Loads Ballast & Subgrade
- Effect of Track Stiffness on Vehicle Rolling Resistance
- Gage Widening Strength
- Lateral Ballast Resistance
- Modeling Track Component Life
- Testing Track Strength
- Track Modulus Characteristics
- Track Modulus vs. Track Structure
- Track Structure Sensitivities
- Vertical Wheel Load Distribution on Crossties
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Track Geometry
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Maintenance Planning
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Wheel/Rail Dynamics
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Track Buckling
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Rail Inspection
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Rail Miscellaneous Welding/Corrugations
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Ties & Fasteners
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Ballast & Subgrade
- Cone Penetrometer Testing of Roadbed
- Cost of Ballast Maintenance
- Effect of Material Quality Ballast Life
- Effects of Tamping on Ballast Degradation
- Geotextile Performance
- Identifying Sources of Ballast Fouling
- Stone Blowing: An Alternative Approach to Track Surfacing
- The Many Faces of Ballast Fouling
- The Many Faces of Ballast Testing
- Using Radar to Investigate Roadbed
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Derailments
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Life Cycle Costs
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Bridges
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Turnouts
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References & Other Zarembski Resources
Economic Impact Studies
RTA Specifications & Visual Guide
TieGuide
- 2016 TieGuide
- 2016 TieGuide Spanish v3 Optimized
- TieGuide Spanish Reformatted 5-29-13
- TieGuide Revised 905
TieReports
- TieReport 1: Update on Wood Tie Life, Part I
- TieReport 2: Cost Comparison of Alternate Cosstie Materials
- TieReport 3: Modern Inspection & Planning Tools
- TieReport 4: Optimizing Tie Maintenance Using Tack Strength Information
- TieReport 5: Material Properties of Wood Crossties
- TieReport 6: Performance Requirements for Wood Crosstie Fasteners Part I - Track Strength
- TieReport 7: Migration of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Railway Ties into Wetlands
- TieReport 8A: Tie Usage Index for Matching Wood Performance and Operating Conditions
- TieReport 8B: Categorizing Wood Species for Railway Use
- TieReport9: Extending the Service Life of Wooden Crossties by Using Pre- and Supplemental Preservative Treatments
- TieReport 10: Comparison of Tie Requirements as a Function of Inspection Technique
- TieReport 11: Benefits of Dual Treatment (Borate + Creosote) for Wood Ties
- TieReport 12: Assessment of Concrete Tie Life on U.S. Freight Railroads