Ties / Switch Ties / Bridge Ties
Request standard crossties, switch ties, or bridge ties by size and quantity.
ⓘ Identification & Terminology GuideTrack ties, switch ties and bridge timbers serve different applications and should be identified by use, dimensions and condition.
Open Guide
Track ties, switch ties and bridge timbers serve different applications and should be identified by use, dimensions and condition.
Original MidStates identification schematic. Not to scale and not an installation or engineering drawing.
Tie & Timber Identification & Terminology
Standard transverse support used under ordinary track.
Longer timber used through a turnout/switch layout; multiple lengths are used in sequence.
Timber intended for bridge/deck applications, generally identified separately from ordinary crossties.
The area where the rail/plate bears on the tie.
Missing wood or bark along an edge/corner of a timber.
Different forms of wood separation used in tie grading and condition descriptions.
How to identify what you have
- Determine whether the piece is a standard crosstie, switch tie or bridge timber based on application and dimensions.
- Measure length, width and thickness rather than relying on nominal description alone.
- Record treatment/wood type if known and note plate cutting, spike kill, splits, decay, checking or other visible defects.
- For switch ties, record each length separately because turnout layouts use a length progression.
What to measure
- Length
- Width
- Thickness
- Defect dimensions if condition is important
What photos help MidStates
- Full tie
- End grain
- Rail-bearing area
- Tie plate/spike area
- Treatment/brand marks
- Any significant defects
Common identification mistakes
- Calling every long timber a switch tie
- Mixing bridge timbers into switch-tie quantities
- Using nominal size without checking actual dimensions/condition
Technical references & source notes
Reference for crosstie, switch-tie and bridge-timber terminology, dimensions, defects and visual identification.
Open authoritative public sourceReference for turnout terminology, tie/plate/spike practices and industry-track material identification context.
Open authoritative public sourceReference index for rail sections, joint bars, compromise joints, tie plates, switches, turnout components, frogs, guard rails and fasteners.
Open authoritative public sourceMidStates uses external publications to support technical facts and terminology. The explanatory text, diagrams and presentation on this page are original MidStates content and do not reproduce railroad or AREMA drawings.
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