<P> Steel ties are formed from pressed steel and are trough - shaped in section . The ends of the tie are shaped to form a "spade" which increases the lateral resistance of the tie . Housings to accommodate the fastening system are welded to the upper surface of the tie . Steel ties are now in widespread use on secondary or lower - speed lines in the UK where they have been found to be economical to install due their ability to be installed on the existing ballast bed . Steel ties are lighter in weight than concrete and able to stack in compact bundles unlike timber . Steel ties can be installed onto the existing ballast, unlike concrete ties which require a full depth of new ballast . Steel ties are 100% recyclable and require up to 60% less ballast than concrete ties and up to 45% less than wood ties . </P> <P> Historically, steel ties have suffered from poor design and increased traffic loads over their normally long service life . These aged and often obsolete designs limited load and speed capacity but can still be found in many locations globally and performing adequately despite decades of service . There are great numbers of steel ties with over 50 years of service and in some cases they can and have been rehabilitated and continue to perform well . Steel ties were also used in specialty situations, such as the Hejaz Railway in the Arabian Peninsula, which had an ongoing problem with Bedouins who would steal wooden ties for campfires . </P> <P> Modern steel ties handle heavy loads, have a proven record of performance in signalized track, and handle adverse track conditions . Of high importance to railroad companies is the fact that steel ties are more economical to install in new construction than creosote - treated wood ties and concrete ties . Steel ties are utilized in nearly all sectors of the worldwide railroad systems including heavy - haul, class 1s, regional, shortlines, mining, electrified passenger lines (OHLE) and all manner of industries . Notably, steel ties (bearers) have proven themselves over the last few decades to be advantageous in turnouts (switches / points) and provide the solution to the ever - growing problem of long timber ties for such use . </P> <P> When insulated to prevent conduction through the ties, steel ties may be used with track circuit based train detection and track integrity systems . Without insulation, steel ties may only be used on lines without block signaling and level crossings or on lines that use other forms of train detection such as axle counters . </P>

The foundation for the rails and ties of a railroad