What does the effect of the balas to the railroad?

Question

sorry for the missed spelled word..

Answer 1

bbj is essentially correct.

The ballast does hold the ties in place and provide for drainage.  But there is another important attribute.

The ballast, as well as the wooden cross ties laying in it, allow for a little "give" when heavy equipment is passing over it.  The next time you are stopped for a train to pass, look what happens as each wheel passes over the rail.  You will see the track structure take a little "dip" with the passing of each 'truck', or set of wheels.

This helps to dissipate the tremendous force imparted to the rail as the equipment runs over it.  The interaction between the wheels and rail is called 'track / train dynamics'.  Without the little 'give', the forces are much higher.

It allows a little ability to expand and contract as well, helping to reduce the effects of expansion and contraction due to variations in temperature.

As a base, it keeps the ties from sinking right into the ground when equipment rolls over it.

Answer 2

Do you mean ballast (Rock).

It keep the ties from moving under load, use to profile or surface the tracks, and keep mud from forming in the track.