2006-06-29 20:10:06 · 10 answers · asked by Giancharno F 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Rail
The "ballast" is to hold the ties in place.
2006-06-29 20:13:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
basically think of roughly it for a 2nd (and examine the 100s of alternative questions and solutions in this factor in this board) each and every thing desires a beginning, and that's what the ballast is. you're able to not greater lay a strains of railway tracks direct directly to the floor to any extent further than you're able to build a highway consequently. Or certainly build a house without foundations. If the music have been laid promptly directly to the floor the trains employing it would not get greater beneficial than one hundred yards without being derailed.
2016-10-31 23:28:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rail lines are built over platform beds, usually of igneous rock (rocks formed by fire). Since those rocks resist water wear, they are never sealed. That allows rain water to flow throw the base and over the sides. Another type of popular stone--metamorphic rock is formed over long periods of time, usually from upward thrusts of former ocean floors. Limestone is an example of metamorphic rock. Limestone is usually white. Other types--shale, calcite etc and a whole range of semi-precious and precious stones complete the stone cycle. However, the most practical type because of cost and durability would be granite--dark coloured. Some are grey and others are blackish. In Switzerland and other European nations, rain and rivers pluck them from mountains and polish them over time. Many of those pebbles began as mighty rocks that split, broke and were polished by various rivers over eons.
Boaz.
2006-06-30 03:23:27 · answer #3 · answered by Boaz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its ballast -- not pebbles.
Drainage! Standing water on tracks is not good, especially with wood ties... Keeping weeds off the RoW... Helping define the RoW, and in a way helping hold the track in place.
And they come in a lot of different colors depending on the stone used.
2006-06-30 03:12:47 · answer #4 · answered by DT89ACE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be that when it rains or runoff water that it keeps the mud from getting on the cars and gears and having them brake down because of all the grit.
2006-06-29 20:19:09 · answer #5 · answered by Gabe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They aren't...seen many colors.
Usage of rocks around rail tracks just depends on location of the tracks and what gravel/rocks are available.
2006-06-29 20:13:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be wheel grease or fuel dripping/leaking that has stained the ballast.
2006-06-29 20:50:47 · answer #7 · answered by J L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the rocks that you see are to hole the rails in place and to aslo help with the vibrations.
2006-06-29 20:41:28 · answer #8 · answered by renee a 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because pink stones would just look funny!
2006-06-29 20:14:21 · answer #9 · answered by bkemt6 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pieces of coal that fell off of the coal trains. i really don't know.
2006-06-29 20:13:10 · answer #10 · answered by Amy S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋