What is the purpose of ballast on a train track?

Track ballast is the collective term for the crushed stones on railway tracks. They form the trackbed and are packed around railway tracks. They form the ground for the railway sleepers which are used to keep the railway tracks upright and properly spaced.

Why are railway tracks filled with stones?

What we call crushed stones is called ‘track ballast’ by people associated with railways. Once these stones are laid out, the trackbed is ready for sleepers to be placed with equal distance between them. Earlier, these sleepers used to be wooden ones. As of now, pre-stressed concrete sleepers have taken their places.

Why do tracks need ballast renewal?

In order to maintain precise track geomtery by tamping and straightening, the layer of ballast must be uniform. Ballast that is contaminated, either by leakage of transported materials or by clay or loam from the formation must be regenerated.

What is needed for a ballast?

Following 8 Requirements of the good ballast are:

• It should be hard and tough.
• It should not be brittle and porous.
• It should have sufficient elasticity.
• It should allow easy drainage with minimum leakage.
• It should be wear-resistant and durable.

Where does track ballast come from?

Ballast is produced from natural deposits of granite, trap rock, quartzite, dolomite or limestone. Vulcan produces ballast and other track materials for shipment to customers from coast to coast, and has a dedicated Ballast Sales Team that can help you with your ballast needs from any of our facilities.

What are the requirement of ballast in railway track?

Requirements of Good Ballast in Railway It should not have any chemical effect on the rails and metal sleepers. It should resist attrition and should be durable. Ballast used should be non-porous and non-absorbent of the water. It should provide good drainage of water.