Beatsons Railway Sleepers

Beatsons Railway Sleepers are green pressure-treated softwood sleepers, ideal for building raised beds, garden benches, planters and decorative garden features. Available in two practical sizes, the full-length 2.4m x 200mm x 100mm sleeper (8ft x 8" x 4") and the 1.2m half sleeper (4ft x 8" x 4"), they make it easy to plan beds and borders without heavy cutting. Each sleeper is manufactured from sustainably sourced softwood and treated to UC3 under BS 8417 / BS EN 335 for improved resistance to rot and decay. 

Beatsons Railway Sleepers: Garden Sleepers for Raised Beds and Landscaping

Bending down to weed, plant and harvest at ground level is one of the biggest causes of back strain for keen gardeners. A raised bed built from Beatsons Railway Sleepers brings the soil up to you. Each 200mm sleeper adds height to your bed, so a bed two or three sleepers high lets you tend vegetables, herbs and flowers with far less stooping, and you get better drainage and warmer soil in spring too.

Beatsons garden sleepers are manufactured from sustainably sourced softwood and green pressure treated for improved resistance to rot and decay. These are new timber sleepers, not reclaimed railway stock, so they are free from creosote, tar and oil residues. Their chunky 200mm x 100mm profile gives a robust, rustic look that suits cottage gardens and contemporary schemes alike.

Available Sizes

• Full Sleeper: 2.4m x 200mm x 100mm (8ft x 8" x 4")
• Half Sleeper: 1.2m x 200mm x 100mm (4ft x 8" x 4")

Combine full and half sleepers to build a 2.4m x 1.2m raised bed with minimal cutting.

Features and Benefits

• Green pressure treated softwood for added durability outdoors
• Treated to Use Class 3 in line with BS 8417 / BS EN 335
• Sustainably sourced timber
• New timber, free from creosote
• Natural green treated colour that weathers to a soft silver-grey over time
• Rough sawn finish for a rustic landscaped look
• Easy to cut, drill and fix with timber or coach screws
• Available for Click & Collect

Ideal For

• Raised vegetable and flower beds
• Garden benches and seating
• Planters and decorative garden features
• Border edging and landscaping details

Installation and Care Advice

Sleepers must always be securely fixed together and should never be simply stacked loose. Use long timber or coach screws through each course, and fix corners with brackets or steel plates, so the structure stays stable when filled with soil and cannot shift or topple. These sleepers are treated to Use Class 3, which is intended for outdoor use above ground. For the longest life, sit sleepers on a free-draining gravel or paving base rather than directly on soil, and line the inside faces of raised beds with landscape fabric or a polythene membrane. Treat every cut end with an end grain preserver, and never place cut ends into the ground. For retaining walls, buried posts or timbers in permanent ground contact, a Use Class 4 treated product should be specified.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Beatsons Railway Sleepers safe to use for vegetable beds?
Yes, these are new pressure-treated softwood sleepers and contain no creosote, unlike reclaimed railway sleepers. Many growers also line the inside of the bed with polythene for extra peace of mind and to protect the timber.

How many sleepers do I need for a raised bed?
Each sleeper adds 200mm of height, so a 2.4m x 1.2m bed 400mm high needs four full 2.4m sleepers and four 1.2m half sleepers. All sleepers must be fixed together with timber screws or brackets for a safe, stable bed.

Do I need to treat the ends after cutting sleepers?
Yes, cutting exposes untreated timber, so brush an end grain preserver onto every cut surface. Cut ends should never be placed in the ground, even when treated.

Please note all prices are website prices only! They may vary from the branches.

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