What is the length and width of a sleeper?

Okay, so you’re asking about the size of a railway sleeper? They’re crazy long, like 2.75 meters – picture almost three yardsticks lined up! But then, so skinny! Only 16 to 20 centimeters wide. Seriously? That’s like, the width of a large book. It’s ridiculously narrow compared to its length. I saw a guy trying to wrestle one into his truck once, and let me tell you, it was a comedy show (a dangerous one, mind you). They’re monsters to move around, weighing in at almost 300 kilograms! That’s like, the weight of a small car! Imagine trying to budge that on your own. Forget about it! And the tapered width…what’s that about? Why not just make it a consistent width? Makes you wonder. Maybe for stability in the track bed? I dunno. I remember my grandad telling me stories about working on the railway – he said they used to use old creosote-soaked sleepers for all sorts of things around the farm, fence posts, retaining walls… Can you imagine the smell? Anyway, they’re definitely not something you’d casually pick up at the hardware store. It’s more like specialist equipment. You know?