So, I don't have any pictures of the failing retaining wall. I do however have a picture of the mess it made when it was torn down. The retaining wall was obviously a DIY project from some 60 years ago or more and was failing and liable to fall at any moment. It did have some pea gravel behind it, however the pea gravel was not separated from the soil through the use of any form of landscaping fabric. There was also no way for the water to escape under the wall so the water was building up pressure to the point where it created small fissures in the mortar of the blocks on both ends of the wall and was beginning to topple it over.

It was time for some smashing and digging.

For this project the wife and I decided on the new retaining wall being built with railroad ties. The pieces going back into where the dirt and gravel will be going are called "dead men" or "anchors" and will help to hold the wall in place. Also since railroad ties are not exactly uniform there will be gaps between them allowing adequate drainage for years to come. To anchor the ties to the ground I employed 3/4 rebar rod which I drove into the ground through holes I drilled in the ties using an auger bit.

The secondary ties are anchored to those below through the use of large, long cast iron nails.

I am also digging out where the new steps will be going which will each be two railroad ties deep and 4 feet wide.

In all the materials for this project so far not including the tools is around $900.

Bonus picture.