The railroads are replacing wood ties with concrete. I have seen the concrete ones in the Columbia Gorge, but don't remember if it was BNSF or Uncle Pete.

The Feds, as overseers of the railroads, could require those upgrades as a safety concern. Write your elected officials.

So, if we don't ship by rail, what is your viable alternative. Or is NIMBY a sufficient reason because it is always somebody's back yard ?