Parts of this retaining wall had deteriorated so badly that it could be moved by hand. Hidden behind weathered railroad ties was a large slope that relied on aged timber for support.
Imgur user Hirschfields The old wall began to be removed one section at a time, but the project quickly expanded into a full-scale excavation. Buried timber, tons of soil, drainage stone, retaining wall blocks and a new staircase transformed the side of the house into a series of structured terraces.
Months later, little of the original wall remained. In its place arose a new maintenance system that changed the shape of both the slope and its surrounding backyard.
Rotten railroad ties led to the end of his life
Weathered railroad ties show signs of severe deterioration, with sections bending, splitting and shifting under the weight of the soil behind them. Damage was accelerated by algae, plants and years of exposure to moisture.
According to the builder, parts of the wall can be moved by hand, requiring replacement before a major failure occurs.
Excavation began along the entire length of the wall
Removing the old structure exposed how much material had to come out before construction could begin. The compact excavator helped remove buried timber that could no longer be removed with hand tools.
Long trenches were built on the side of the house as the project expanded beyond a simple wall replacement.
Decades of material came out of the ground
Large piles of soil, landscaping fabric, roots and decomposed wood accumulated during demolition.
Removing everything on frozen ground created a clean starting point for the new retention system.
Removing soil reveals the full scale of the project
Excavation continued along the entire slope, revealing a long section of earth that would eventually support the new wall.
Once the retaining structure disappeared, a height change of several feet between the upper lawn and the lower yard became visible.
The old timbers filled an entire disposal pile
Stacked railroad ties show how much material is holding the slope in place.
Many of the timbers show severe weathering and rotting, which explains why replacement was necessary.
A deep foundation trench follows the curve of the yard
After the demolition, crews dug continuous trenches for the foundation of the new retaining wall.
Trenches follow the natural curve of the landscape while creating a level foundation for the block system.
Crushed stone formed the base layer
A compacted gravel foundation was installed before placing any wall blocks.
This layer helps distribute the load evenly and provides drainage below the retaining wall.
The first courses established the shape of the wall
Large retaining wall blocks were carefully positioned on the prepared base and checked for alignment.
Each course is based on the accuracy of this first row.
Curves and straight runs began to take shape
Additional blocks extended the wall while maintaining the curved layout around the corner of the yard.
The exposed block cores were filled with stone to improve stability and drainage.
Stair openings were integrated into the design
Instead of creating a continuous wall, the design includes a central staircase connecting the two lawn levels.
The opening broke up a set of retaining walls and improved access to the backyard.
Elevated planting areas emerged behind the walls
As the height of the block course increased, the project began to resemble a series of elevated terraces.
Retained soil created level planting and lawn areas above the lower yard.
Curved corners soften the structure
Rounded wall sections prevent the installation from looking overly rigid.
The curves also followed the natural shape of the excavation rather than forcing sharp corners into the landscape.
Retaining walls begin to define the backyard layout
Once the walls reached full-finish height, the back yard began to take on a more organized look.
Instead of one continuous slope, different elevations became separate outdoor zones.
Capstones finished the main wall structure
Top caps give the retaining walls a finished look while helping to lock the upper course in place.
Broad caps also create comfortable seating-height borders around parts of the landscape.
Matching curves are attached to both sides
The walls ending in the stair opening mirror each other.
The symmetry helped the composition look deliberate rather than purely functional.
Wide steps connecting the upper and lower levels
Generous stair treads created a comfortable transition between heights.
Retaining the blocks on both sides created unified stair walls that matched the main structure.
Grass returned around the new construction
As the project settled in and the landscaping recovered, the retaining walls blended more naturally into the backyard.
The structure became part of the overall landscape rather than standing out as a new construction.
Stone backfill protects the foundation wall
A separate maintenance section adjacent to the house created a clean planting and drainage zone filled with decorative stone.
The installation improved both appearance and water management near the foundation.
From Failing Timber to Engineered Retaining Walls
Replacing the old railroad-tie wall required excavation, grading, drainage preparation, hundreds of retaining wall blocks and new stairs, but the result completely changed the way the sloped yard operated.
The finished project created stable retaining walls, level planting areas, improved access between elevations, and a clean look that should outlast the original wood structure.
Would you rebuild a failing retaining wall yourself or hire a contractor for a project of this size?
All image credits go to Imgur user: Hirschfields.
