Interesting that railroads get in trouble for using creosote-treated ties (OK, some probably did get left in bad places) but used ties are sold freely for use in landscaping.

Here's the spec used by Coos Bay Raillink for new ties; note use of non-creosote preservative due to proximity to water: [coosbayraillink.com]

Caltrain apparently accepts creosote treatment, but it has to be pressure-treated: [www.caltrain.com]

Disposal of creosoted ties as hog fuel for a plant in Newberg, OR: [rfc-nw.com]

So OK, creosote can still be used. But in recent times I've seen, mainly, concrete ties used in main-line track with wood reserved for light-duty lines, spurs, sidings, and switches. Even there, where I've seen new track built in recent years, if the ties are creosoted it's done in a way that doesn't allow any to come out - unlike some old ties that were dripping the stuff. And on the West Coast of the U.S. railroads in sensitive areas probably use specs like Coos Bay's to minimize problems.

Love the video about disposing of creosoted ties. Makes sense if you can't re-use the ties in an acceptable way intact. Interesting that it's being done in OR, but it kind of makes sense - less stringent air pollution regs there than in CA. Probably better not to ask where the old ties that get removed in CA go ...