Railroad ties can be particularly difficult to dispose of. Railroad companies frequently replace railway ties, and the removed ties are returned to a regional yard. Soaked in creosote (a carbon-based petroleum) for preservation purposes, cross ties can be processed into a valuable waste-to-energy fuel.

Doppstadt DW slow-speed shredders are perfectly suited for the reduction and processing of contaminant-laden railway ties. A random plate left on the tie could do immense damage to many units but the break away comb on DW Shredders allows contaminants to easily pass. After primary reduction, used cross ties can be passed through an AK grinder, SM trommel or Backers star screen to meet the desired WTE spec.