So, old, aged railway sleepers are essentially harmless, but:
1. If you cut or drill them wear gloves and a face mask, the dust isn't nice and you don't want it in your lungs.
2. Don't, ever, burn them or off-cuts.
3. Don't let water run off them directly into your fish pond, the fish won't like it and might die.
4. Don't eat the wood,
Oh, and finally,
5. Don't drop them on your foot, they are very heavy....
1) Gloves, YES. Face mask, NO. These have been off the railways for 25 years already so well matured. A git to cut though!!
2) Obviously - the off cuts do make good axle stands though!
3) Don't have one!
4) Damn - creosote sandwiches and a pint of brake fluid is my favourite lunch!!
5) Shifting them on your own requires a lift and jerk - and then tip lengthways. I managed to drop one on my rubber mallet - it is now an ex-mallet!!!
Here is some of them in place:
