Michael, the pine molding is 1/4" x 3/4" x 96". With 96 inches, you can make 42 ties (ties are 2 1/4" long). I painted the molding black first, allowed to dry, then cut to size (2 1/4"). All I have to do then was to put a dab of paint on the ends. I did glue the ties down so they would not move when securing the track or ballasting. Doing your own is more work, but you do not need any elaborate set up. I small saw at best. Here is the tool I used. It comes in handy for any scratch built buildings, trestle building, etc.....anything with wood.
It is $19.74 on Amazon, but if all you would use it for would be for the ties, any small saw would do. It would easily cut through the 1/4" pine. I scratch build a lot of my buildings, so this tool was worth the price I spent.
Rick
