Re: Cleaning Ballast - Why do they need to do this?

[pblair@pcug.org.au (Paul Blair)]

Just to add a bit to this reply:

Water acts as a lubricant, allowing stone to rub with other stones and
wear away. The dust/paste will act like sediment and block drainage
outlets. Same for roads.

Paul Blair

On 24 Aug 1999 06:56:18 GMT, cmgord@ecr.mu.oz.au (Christopher_Martin
GORDON) wrote:

>
>: >A large section of track was removed and old ballast and ground
>: >underneath the track was then dug out and placed onto the waiting works
>: >train hauled by 8177/4874.
>: >
>: >Why do they need to do this?
>
>The requirement for Ballast is to keep the track bed dry and the sleepers dry.
>For concrete sleepers this donsn't realy matter, but you still need to keep the 
>track bed dry and free of water.  Ballast is a good way of doind this, but if
>the ballast is dirty then the water will not drain away.
>
>Same thing applies to roads you need to keep the sub base dry or the road will
>crack and stuff up.  
>
>Having a wet track base will result in movement of the track base and you will
>get "speed hump" tracks and do more damage to the trains and tracks.

-------------------------------
Paul Blair
pblair@pcug.org.au