Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

I wasnt 100% sure what topic to put this under, but this seemed like the best option.

The CN lines in my areas, use various materials. Im trying to figure out what they are exactly, and who sells them?


Thanks,
TNS

1 and 3 are timber(wooden planks) and 2 is worn out Rubber. CN is the last railroad to commonly use rubber as a replacement instead of concrete.

If they are timber, why are they in a gray/black color? Faux wood?

I'm personally thinking they could be some kind of rubber or composite material. They don't really look like wood to me unless they're coated in creosote like ties are. The third pic especially seems a bit too "shiny" for wood, even for wood that's turned grey due to age.