LOL
Not so fast - IIRC those were new ties that were laid fairly recently, ie when the track was first shifted at the start of the guideway construction. If so, they would still fetch more money as relay ties eg in a yard or siding.
Some railroads (CPKC being one) no longer recycle ties at end of life, preferring to send them for burning in cogeneration plants, which deals with the creosote in a greener manner. I’m not sure what ML’s policy is.
I recall when the Newfoundland Railway was torn up, every garden center east of Riviere du Loup had an enormous pile of surplus ties for sale, identifiable by the distinctive narrow gauge spike holes. I always wanted to bring some back to Toronto, but they were a bit too big and heavy to load in the family minivan for that distance
- Paul