The Elephant Timber Guide to using Railway Sleepers and Wagon Planks
Our reclaimed railway sleepers have been sliced horizontally, making them thinner than your average railway sleeper. These oak railway sleepers were once used to support train tracks. However, as they have never been coated in creosote, which is the toxic solution usually used to stop the timber from rotting, they are safe to use for building furniture.
Our reclaimed wagon planks are sourced from the sides of railway carriages. They used to form the outer walls of the train wagons, which used to transport all types of commercial freight. The bolt holes are still visible, along with the dark dye around the holes. These have formed due to years of chemical reactions with the metal bolts to the oak wood.
Before resale, the wood remains in its untouched form. Therefore, if you are looking for wood in as natural a state as possible, showing the story of where the planks have been, with plenty of authentic patina from decades of use, these planks are a perfect choice.
Oak railway sleepers and wagon planks are versatile due to their durability and rustic charm and can be repurposed to build a wide range of items including:
- Building rustic table tops, coffee tables, bed frames, or bookshelves.
- Crafting furniture, cabinets and shelves.
- Constructing flooring, framing and roofing.
- Creating interior feature walls, either indoors or outdoors.
- Incorporating sleepers into interior designs as decorative elements.
- Forming sturdy garden edging, defining garden beds and large planters.
- Laying sleepers flat to form garden paths and walkways.
- Making raised garden beds for vegetables, herbs, or flowers.
- Constructing decking or patio areas.
- Building a firewood storage rack to keep logs organised and dry.
The railway sleepers and wagon planks will need to be sanded and treated using wood stain, varnish, oil or paint, depending on your desired final look. See our Guide to Protecting Wood for information on how protect reclaimed railway sleepers and oak wagon planks.
For further details about our railway sleepers and wagon planks and some inspiration for using them in both indoor and outdoor settings, see our Guide on Uses for Railways Sleepers and Wagon Planks.