2006-07-01 15:38:53 · 9 answers · asked by graceymyster 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
I worked for a railroad. The rocks are split and have sharp edges so they kinda knit together. They are used under the ties to spread the load and NOT let ties sink into the mud. They also help the ties from slowly moving and shifting out of place and getting skewed over the years. If you are talking about ON TOP of tracks, that is sand dropped from locomotives to help the wheels from sliding. It actually gets crushed into a kind of glass.
2006-07-01 18:14:07 · answer #1 · answered by science_curious 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The rocks are called 'ballast' and they support the track and keep it from sliding around as the heavy trains roll over the rails. The ballast also keeps the wooden ties (called sleepers in the UK) up off the wet dirt so they don't rot away.
2006-07-06 02:57:17 · answer #2 · answered by Mark V 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lowers vibration and noise. Also used so the tracks do not sink into the ground when raining or if wet ground. Keeps tracks more in line and on even ground. Costs less to plow a strip and flatten gravel then it does to level ground flat and then pour concrete. Plus the maintanance costs.
2006-07-01 22:42:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To lower noise and vibration
They are under the tracks not on them
2006-07-01 22:46:13 · answer #4 · answered by Judas Rabbi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To reduce vibration from the trains
2006-07-01 22:40:48 · answer #5 · answered by realbadmofodude 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to keep weeds from growing over the tracks
2006-07-01 22:41:43 · answer #6 · answered by xx_muggles_xx 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Vibration and movement reduction
2006-07-01 22:41:28 · answer #7 · answered by Brian M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Too many bored kids around.
2006-07-01 22:41:05 · answer #8 · answered by Pancakes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don"t know?-- I use pennies
2006-07-02 00:35:19 · answer #9 · answered by Spock 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋