Abstract: A railroad communication tie for use in a railway track system is positionable in ballast. The tie includes an elongated unitary steel channel body having a web and a pair of sidewalls formed integral with opposite edges of the web. The channel body has a pair of opposed ends. A flared spade is formed integral with each end of the body. The flared spade has a communications conduit aperture. An elongated communications conduit is movably mounted in the communications conduit apertures and said conduit is free to move relative to the spades.

Abstract: An improved unitary steel tie which is positionable in ballast of a railway track system includes an elongated channel body. The channel body includes an elongated web and a pair of sidewalls formed integral with opposite edges of the web. The channel body has a pair of opposed ends. An integral rail seat is adjacent to each of the opposed ends. Each rail seat is formed on the web and is adapted for connecting a rail to the web. An indentation is formed in each sidewall adjacent to each end of the body. The indentations at each end are opposed to each other forming a reduced section between the sidewalls at each end of the body to restrict movement of ballast toward the respective end and along the length of the body between the sidewalls. An apex is formed in the web above each reduced section and each apex is substantially the same height as the other apex. The apexes are the high points of the web. A flared spade is formed integral with each end of the body.