Garden Railway Forum

Hi guys
I am about to commence the build of a small quarry line in 32mm. I am using Tenmille rail onto the supplied chairs fixed into timber sleepers laid upon a raised timber base. My query is regarding timber sleepers cut on the bandsaw as required. I intend to soak the sleepers once cut by fully immersing them to soak in real coal tar based creosote. This poses a few questions.

I have access to a large quantity of both old oak or general softwood to cut down to size. Which would be a better option? I am mainly concerned with shrinkage and warp after soaking as well as longevity.

Having used felt in the past, both the torch on and nail down types I am intending to just surface creosote the track base timber planking, which has been "supposedly" already pressure treated. If annually treated with creosote will this last as long as the felt over method? The planks will not be directly in contact with the ground as this is an all raised (on steel uprights) level adjustable layout.

I laid some Brandbright or Tenmille (I can't remember which) wood sleepers that I had soaked in proper creosote on my first line. They lasted about five years before they fell apart.

Soft wood out side does not last as well as hard wood. I do a lot of DIY (work) go for the oak bits

Go with the oak for the sleepers. I assume by 'Old Oak' it is well seasoned?
An annual dose of creosote will work wonders on your timbers. If the undersides are off the ground then so much the better.
What I have found with some pressure treated woods is that they don't seem to take the creosote very well for the first few coats. It does sink into the timber eventually. If the timbers are off the ground by an inch or so you could use a garden spray to coat the bases when needed.
Obviously don't then use the garden spray for anything else!