Railroad tie ramps...

[Chaz]

I seem to remember that, quite awhile ago, someone said they cut railroad ties on angles to create ramps. Can anyone enlighten me as to any tricks, or angles or heights, or....
I'm wondering if two ties tall is doable??
Thanx!!!!

[eagle19952]

new or used... does  the railroad dispose of good wood ?

[bigred]

Chaz,any good strong 8x8 will do cut at a 45 degree angle .I think if you start trying to stack two 8x8's ,ur gonna tear something up though!!

[HB of CJ]

If nothing else, are not old rail road ties usually very used up and have many actual or suspected cracks and rotted spaces either on the outside or inside?  Why were they replaced?  Also they stink because of the chemicals they are soaked in?  Just the smell after awhile in an enclosed place would be horrible.  Could their strength be trusted?  Dunno fur sure.  My opinion only.  Respectfully. HB

[CrabbyMilton]

I think the reason BLUEBIRD is returning to gasoline engines in skoolies is to market them to smaller schools or churhes who may only use the bus for special trips once in awhile or just plain don't want the hassle of diesel is the annual mileage won't offset the higher cost in short order. Like I said, IC and THOMAS have propane versions too but it's unknown to me at least if they will offer gasoline versions of those.

[grantgoold]

I used two railroad tie (premium quality never used) and held them together with all thread and molly bolts. Had to be careful with the angle cut using a chain saw.  Left about an inch lip on the bottom and cut about a 24 inch ramp and 24 inch level area. Not designed for travel but nice to have around the house.

Grant

[chessie4905]

Two ties could be probably be doable if ramps were long enough,but can be dangerous if not secured properly. Could kick out if ground settles and result in a disaster. Why not recess some ground with some concrete curbing? Depends also on whether ties are free or very cheap. Then you could double up width with some metal or couple layers of  plywood secures on top to keep them nice and stable. Now if you want to make them portable, then that is another thing.

[Oonrahnjay]

Couple of comments ...

1:  I found that a ramp angle of about 30 degrees was more efficient and easier to use.  Lay out 30 degrees from one end and after you cut, you flip the other end around and you have another 30 degree ramp (complementary angles ...).  For my bus, 45 degrees was too steep and angle to climb easily.

2:  My bus won't take a 8" ramp; structure under the body bottoms out on an 8" ramp before the tire hits it.  I have a "transit" bus so I'm lower to the ground than most, but the point is that there is a limit the height of a ramp.  And if you're making ramps for "run up" for road side emergency work, you have to consider that the tires on the bus may sink into the ground a bit, giving even less clearance for a ramp before bus begins to lift as you drive onto it. 

Dunno how any of this applies to anyone else's bus but these are issues I've seen and things that I think should be considered.  HTH,  BH   southeastern NC   USA

[Chaz]

Thanx Gents.
(not sure what you were talking about Milton??)
You can buy very good used railroad ties at different places. My plan was to buy 2 and make 4 ramps for all four rear tires. I was also planning to bolt them together. I just wasn't sure if I could go 2 high. I'll stay with one high. And yeah, they will stay on the slab I poured for the bus.
Thanx Oonrahnjay. That is what I was looking for.
I appreciate all the thoughts!
  Chaz

[goutoe]

I used bridge planks they are 14" wide and 3-1/2" high I cut them in 6'- 4'- and 3' lenths tapering one end and lagged them together so I can step up to 10-1/2", Bridge planks are hard to find I got used ones from the County road department.>>>>> John

[lostagain]

Chaz, couldn't you weld up some ramps with some square tubing like 1" 1/2 or 2" and some mesh for the running surface? It would not be any heavier than railroad ties. I know you are good with steel

JC

[Chaz]

Yeah, JC, I definitely could but, RR ties are only 10.00 for good ones, and for 20.00 and a little chainsaw time (by a friend), I'm golden. They will be outside where I keep my bus so they should be good. If I need some sort of traction, I'll just screw down some expanded metal.
I wouldn't mind welding up a set but I am still dealing with a detached retina and Doc says getting my vision back in that eye "isn't even on the horizon", and I really can't weld like this. Plus, I am still contemplating selling it as I'm not sure I can drive it like this and when I can't weld, money gets kinda funny.
Thanx for the thought tho!!!
Chaz

[Chaz]

Well I cut two ties on a long angle so I have one ramp for each rear wheel and it seems fine. I'm not going to go two high. Just getting under the bus concerns me enough.
Thanx Gents!!

[TomC]

Even old rail ties are smelly. You cut them and expose fresh oil and then possible slippery when wet. I used 2X10's stacked 4 high staggered. Not very expensive for new wood. Good Luck, TomC

[Fredward]

Don't forget to block the body after you drive up the ramps. Just because you added 10" of clearance underneath; that 10" will be reduced significantly if an air bag blows.
Fred