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On Sept. 22, PlasTie L.L.C. announced it completed research and development, and has begun producing PlasTies™, a standard oak crosstie encapsulated in one-eighth-inch-thick polyolefin plastic designed to be more environmentally friendly and last two times longer compared with creosote-treated wood ties.

"Plastic encapsulation inhibits moisture from entering or leaving the crosstie, [extending] the useful life of the crosstie [and lowering] the annual cost to the user," said PlasTie Chief Executive Manager Barrie Gibbs in a prepared statement.

Marketed to railroads and railroad contractors, PlasTies™ are encased in black plastic to maximize ultraviolet protection and designed to be interchanged with wood ties.

PlasTie L.L.C. and investor parent Gibbs Group Holdings Inc. currently are producing the plastic-coated ties on one production line at a Barrie, Ontario, plant. By year end, the companies plan to relocate production to a southern West Virginia facility to be closer to regional tie mills, said Gibbs.