Abstract: A concrete railroad tie has rail seats defined by plates, which are made from stainless steel or other non-corrodable metal or plastic, cast into the top surface of the tie at the rail seats. The stiffness of the plates should be less than that of the concrete body of the tie and they should have smooth top faces so that they do not cause scuffing of associated rail pads on which the rails rest at the seats. Each plate may have lugs projecting from its underside for providing a mechanical connection with the body of the tie.