Kinds of Wood The following kinds of wood are suitable for crossties and will be accepted: Ash, Oak, Beech, Birch, Hickory, Cherry, Locust, Elm, Maple, Walnut Classification and Design Grade Dimensions Minimum Faces Allowed 6"x 8" x 8'6" The above minimum face requirements apply to the rail-bearing areas, which are the areas between 20" and 40" from the middle of the industrial grade crossties. Outside the rail-bearing areas, wane will be limited to half the face width on the top or bottom of the tie. The grade of each tie shall be determined at the point of most wane, on the top or bottom, within the rail bearing areas. (The top is defined as the horizontal face farthest from the heartwood or pith center). Dry or treated ties may be 1" narrower or 1/2" thinner than the specified sizes. Thickness and width may not vary more than 1" from end to end. The tie body may be out of square by no more than 1" throughout the length. Tie length may vary from +1" to -2" for the length specified.
