Who invented railroad tie?

The Composite railroad tie was patented by (keep in mind patented does not necessarily mean invented) Gordon E. Brown (United States Patent 4105159). The Combination Wood Plastic railroad tie was patented by Hong Man Lee (United States Patent 4286753). The Synthetic railroad tie was patented by Douglas L. Smith (United States Patent 6021958). The Metallic railway tie was patented by Mitchell Amos (United States Patent 1620730).