The stones which are generously scattered on railway tracks, of course, are there not accidentally. They even have a special name – ballast.

Railroad tracks, despite the seeming solidity and durability, actually very whimsical object which is daily exposed to extreme loadings from the passing multiton structures. Such pressure can quickly lead to deformation of ways therefore the loading arriving from rails on cross ties has to be evenly distributed on a surface. For this purpose also ballast which transfers load of the surface area of a road bed is intended, filling all space between elements of railway tracks.

Besides, ballast serves for branch from railway tracks of water, freely passing it in a crack between stones.

Ballast – the most important element of railroad tracks. Over time stones of ballast crumble and wear out therefore they are replaced with new.

 

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