Repairing a Disintegrating Railroad Tie Retaining Wall

Q: I need guidance on repairing a 20-year-old railroad tie retaining wall with disintegrating ties.

A: Railroad tie walls have a limited lifespan, usually around 20 years. Despite creosote treatment, wood slowly rots and the wall eventually fails. There's no way to prevent this or repair a bowed, failing wall. You need a landscape architect to advise on wall options and supervise building a proper wall that won't fall down.