An extruded PVC railroad tie with glass fiber reinforcement contains glass fibers and clumps of pelletized glass fibers that enhance friction of all surfaces that are not coated with a cap stock. Parallel spaced apart interior walls enhance structural integrity. Two interior walls provide structures for threaded channels to threadedly and frictionally engage bolts for securing rail connection hardware. Interior compartments provide empty space for air and ballast. Air in the compartments moderates thermal expansion. A protective cap stock covers one or more sides, such as the exterior top and side surfaces of the tie. The bottom surface, which may be substantially devoid of a cap stock, exhibits roughness to grip and frictionally engage underlying ballast.

An enhanced wood product includes a wooden board or plank having a length and at least three sides, the sides defining a polygonal cross section along the length of the wooden board or plank. A polyurethane-urea coating on at least two of the sides very substantially increases the strength of the wood product and various products made with coated wood.

A railroad tie element can include a front portion. The front portion can include a front hollow cross-section. The front hollow cross-section can be located between an outer portion of the front portion and an inner portion of the front portion. The railroad tie element also can include a back portion. The back portion can include a back hollow cross-section. The back hollow cross-section can be located between an outer portion of the back portion and an inner portion of the back portion. The railroad tie element further can include a body portion disposed between the inner portion of the front portion and the inner portion of the back portion. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A railroad tie element can include a front portion. The front portion can include a front hollow cross-section. The front hollow cross-section can be located between an outer portion of the front portion and an inner portion of the front portion. The railroad tie element also can include a back portion. The back portion can include a back hollow cross-section. The back hollow cross-section can be located between an outer portion of the back portion and an inner portion of the back portion. The railroad tie element further can include a body portion disposed between the inner portion of the front portion and the inner portion of the back portion. Other embodiments are disclosed.