How to Make a Railroad-Tie Retaining Wall Look Good

Determine the placement of the railroad-tie retaining wall. Hammer wooden stakes into the ground to indicate both ends of the wall. Tie a string to one wooden stake and extend it to the next wooden stake. Hold a level on the string and adjust it up or down on the wooden stakes so it is level.

Dig a 12-inch-deep trench, using the string as a guide. Make the trench twice as wide as the railroad ties. Try to keep the trench as level as possible. Tamp the soil in the trench down with a hand tamper.

Pour a 3-inch layer of 3/4-inch gravel into the trench. Spread it evenly with the shovel and tamp it down. Pour a second 3-inch layer of gravel over the first layer and tamp this layer down as well.

Drill 9/16-inch pilot holes through the railroad ties that will be used in the first level. Make the holes at either end approximately 10 inches in from the ends. Evenly space one or two more holes between those holes.

Set the railroad tie in the trench on the gravel. Hold a level the long way on the railroad tie. Adjust the gravel underneath the railroad tie until it sits level in the trench. Lay a torpedo level the short way across the railroad tie to ensure it is level from front to back. Adjust the gravel underneath the railroad tie if necessary.

Insert a 4-foot-long piece of rebar through the first pilot hole. Hammer the rebar down until the top edge is flush with the railroad tie's surface. Continue to lay the first level of railroad ties until you can no longer lay a full piece.

Measure the space from the last full piece of railroad tie to the wooden stake. Transfer this measurement to a new railroad tie and cut it to length with a circular saw. Paint wood preservative onto the cut end with a sponge brush. Drill 9/16-inch pilot holes through the tie and lay it in the trench. Hammer a 4-foot piece of rebar through each pilot hole.

Cut a railroad tie in half and paint the cut end with wood preservative. Lay this railroad tie on top of the first railroad tie on the bottom level. Drive a landscaping screw through the cut railroad tie on the second level and into the railroad tie on the first level. Place one screw about 8 inches from either end and another centered between those two screws.

Lay a full railroad tie next to the cut piece on the second level. Secure this one in place with landscaping screws. Continue securing railroad ties to the first level until you reach the end of the retaining wall.

Lay landscape fabric over the gravel behind the railroad ties. Lay a 4-inch perforated pipe on top of the landscape fabric. Cover the pipe with 3/4-inch gravel. Fold the landscape fabric back over the gravel.

Add another two or three levels to the railroad tie retaining wall, staggering the joints for strength. Secure the layers together with landscape screws the same way you did for the second level. Add soil behind the retaining wall.

Cut a railroad tie in half and paint the cut ends with wood preservative. Lay one half of the railroad tie on top of the other half to form a T shape. Lay the T behind the retaining wall with the bottom edge lined up with the front of the retaining wall. You may need to dig a trench in order for the T to lie flat.

Secure the T to the retaining wall with two or three landscape screws. Drill a 9/16-inch pilot hole through either end of the T's top edge. Drive a 4-foot section of rebar through each pilot hole.

Build up the next two levels of railroad ties. Secure them in place with landscape screws. If you want to make the railroad-tie retaining wall taller yet, add another T to help support the wall. Finish backfilling behind the retaining wall with soil.