Odd markings on sleeper ends

[a_c_skinner]

A friend has seen a lot of old sleepers in the Leominster area with this device made in wire (apparently) on the ends. He was sure I'd know what it was. He was wrong, but with your help he may be right. This is in a old sleeper used in a garden, but he was sure it was an old sleeper.

 

[gordonthemoron]

isn't it to stop the sleeper from disintegrating?

 

[DaleCooper]

How deep does it go or is it round wire?

 

[a_c_skinner]

Round wire, we think.

 

[DaleCooper]

Round wire, we think.

If that's the case I wonder if it is just a piece of wire that got embedded when the sleeper was stood on its end for a while. I can't see it having much structural effect.

 

[AndrewE]

I think it's flat strip that has been bent into whatever is needed to reinforce the sleeper by hammering it in to the end-grain (at manufacture - far too difficult to do when the wood is in the ground.)
I have often seen them abroad, maybe most in Spain. I've never seen it on railways in the UK. The taper of the sleeper end is also a European thing, we only have that shape on some old concrete sleepers.

 

[axlecounter]

There are other versions in EU:
https://www.alamy.it/thumbsImages.a...azione-ferroviaria-mafhgj.jpg&imageref=MAFHGJ (two types on this pic).
And others too. I’ve always seen wood sleepers (outside UK) with similar things attached. Always assumed it was a few cm deep metal part to better keep the sleeper toghether, don’t really know exactly though.

 

[Elecman]

Looks like a length of Track joint bonding wire

 

[Speed43125]

ah. Spent a minute wondering what sleeper carriages have wood on the end... You meant sleeper as in 'tie' as the americans call it.

 

[ElectroSoldier]

Its something to do with the ends splintering

 

[furnessvale]

Its something to do with the ends splintering

It is everything to do with the sleeper ends splitting.

An alternative is a stout steel band around the sleeper end.

Both methods are common continental practice.

 

[AndrewE]

It is everything to do with the sleeper ends splitting.
An alternative is a stout steel band around the sleeper end.
Both methods are common continental practice.

Exactly. I don't know why people keep guessing at "wire that has accidentally got embedded when the sleeper was stood on end!"
People need to go for some train rides when they are on a package holiday - and look at the track too while they are there! I recommend the trip from Malaga to Seville, especially if you can get one of the trains up or down el Chorro http://www.caminitodelrey.info/en/4922/the-railway-and-el-caminito-del-rey

 

[Ploughman]

Steel "Band It" clamping straps are used in the UK, or were, back in the 90's to try and reduce end splitting of hardwod sleepers.

 

[furnessvale]

Steel "Band It" clamping straps are used in the UK, or were, back in the 90's to try and reduce end splitting of hardwod sleepers.

Fair enough, I had retired by then!

 

[ElectroSoldier]

It is everything to do with the sleeper ends splitting.

An alternative is a stout steel band around the sleeper end.

Both methods are common continental practice.

I know, thats why I said it rather that perpetuate the idea that they are there by accident!

THey are pressed into the end of the sleepers during construction, I dont know exactly how and why it works but I know its stops the sleep ends from splintering when they dry out, thus prolonging their life.