Do you know why there are stones on railway tracks? Learn how these work in security Life

What is railway ballast?

Railway ballast consists of hard, crushed stones with sharp edges. Unlike smooth river stones, these stones are intentionally roughened so that they stick together firmly. In India and many other countries these stones are usually made from granite, basalt or quartzite.

How does ballast keep rails stable?

The most important function of the ballast is to hold the sleepers firmly in place. Under the sleeper rails are concrete or wooden blocks. When trains weighing thousands of tons pass on the tracks, tremendous pressure is created.

Load distribution of heavy trains

The train puts a lot of pressure on the specific points where the wheels meet the track. The ballast acts as a shock absorber, distributing this weight evenly from the rails to the sleepers and then to the ground below. Without ballast, the soil beneath the track would slowly collapse and erode, making the railway line unsafe.

Protection from water damage

Rainwater is the biggest enemy of railway tracks. If water collects around the track and sleepers, it can weaken the foundation and increase the risk of warping. The voids between the ballast stones allow water to seep into the ground more quickly.

Also, when the train moves at high speed, a lot of vibration is generated. The ballast absorbs much of this vibration, reducing the stress on the track and sleepers. It also reduces noise and prevents long-term damage to the track.

Why is regular maintenance of ballast mandatory?

Over time ballast stones can become chipped, rounded or filled with soil and dust. When this happens, drainage and grip are reduced. Railways clean or replace old ballast using deep screening and tamping. Also the stones are packed tightly again so that the journey is stable and safe.