Tie question

[spookshow]

I'd like to model a pile of tie lumber as pictured below (or at least I'm assuming it's tie lumber) -



Would I make them standard tie length, or is there some trimming involved before they get used? They seem pretty long.

Thanks,
-Mark

[Philip H]

I bet those are bridge ties.

[Missaberoad]

Looks like crossing timbers. Length should be ~16 to 20 feet long.

[spookshow]

And it finally dawns on me to use Google Earth to measure them. Looks like they're around 20' long.

Thanks,
-Mark

[wazzou]

Looks like crossing timbers. Length should be ~16 to 20 feet long.

That'd be my guess as well based on their thickness and width. 
If they are on the DM&E, that means they are likely treated with Copper Napthenate by Wheeler Lumber in Whitewood, SD, by the look of the color.

[nkalanaga]

If they were ties, they could be almost any length, up to about 18 feet.  After all, turnout ties have to be treated, just like regular ties, and they need to be cut to length before treatment.  Cutting them after would expose untreated wood.