Track ballast facts for kids

Good quality track ballast is made of crushed stone. The sharp edges help the particles interlock with each other.

Track ballast is the layer of crushed stone that supports railway tracks. It's like a strong, rocky bed for the train tracks. This ballast is placed between, under, and around the wooden or concrete pieces called railway sleepers (or railroad ties in the US). It helps keep the tracks stable and safe for trains.

What is Track Ballast?

Track ballast is a special type of gravel or crushed rock. It forms the foundation for railway lines. Imagine it as a strong, rocky cushion. This cushion holds the tracks firmly in place. It's a very important part of any railway system.

Why is Ballast Important?

Ballast does several important jobs for the railway:

• Drainage: It lets water drain away quickly. This stops water from pooling around the tracks. Good drainage prevents the ground from becoming soft.
• Load Distribution: Trains are very heavy. Ballast spreads the weight of the train evenly. It takes the pressure from the sleepers and spreads it to the ground below. This prevents the ground from sinking.
• Holding Tracks in Place: Ballast helps to hold the tracks steady. As trains move, they create vibrations. The ballast stops the tracks from shifting or moving. It keeps them aligned correctly.
• Weed Control: The layer of ballast helps to stop plants from growing. Weeds can interfere with the track structure. They can also make it harder to inspect the tracks.

What is Ballast Made Of?

Most track ballast is made from crushed stone. These stones are usually hard rocks like granite, basalt, or quartzite. The stones are crushed into pieces that are not perfectly smooth. They have sharp, uneven edges. These sharp edges are important because they help the pieces interlock. This interlocking makes the ballast very stable. Sometimes, other materials have been used, but crushed stone works best.

Images for kids

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  Ballast must be irregularly shaped to work properly

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  New track ballast ready for laying at Boxmeer railway station in the Netherlands

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  A ballast tamping machine is used to maintain the railway tracks (Dade City, Florida)

See also

In Spanish: Balasto para niños