Adrian wrote in
. 244.170:

All,

We're about to start on doing some major work to the back garden,
including replacing a retaining wall (about 500mm). We were planning
on using recycled railway sleepers for this, laid horizontally.

We knew there were certain caveats on these - something to do with the
preservatives that had been used causing anybody that goes within a
mile of 'em to grow three heads or something - but we're finding some
of the people quoting are more than a bit reluctant.

We've heard that they're just plain illegal and unobtainable.

Then we've heard that they're illegal anywhere near where you may be
growing food. We probably won't be, but there's a possibility there'll
be a few veggies or more likely herbs in a bed bordered with them.

Now we've heard they're really not all that suitable, and likely to
warp and not hold well.

Thoughts? Is it just that they don't much like the idea of lugging the
bloody things through the house to the back garden but don't want to
say so?

have a look he http://tinyurl.com/d4e6j

It gives you the details about the EU directive on railway sleepers.

You'd be better buying new TBH. I've just bought new tanilised softwood
sleepers for £18 each to make a retaining wall for flower beds round the
patio.