Why are there always piles of rocks around railway tracks? Do they do anything? Surely they aren't necessary?

Question

Why are there always piles of rocks around railway tracks? Do they do anything? Surely they aren't necessary?

Answer 1

sure. they use to forsing the track with earth

Answer 2

The piles of gravel and little rocks are what tracks are placed on.  These piles are called Ballast.  

It has many uses, such as:

It's used to help drain water from the ties.  

It also has a structural purpose, helping to keep the ties in  position (erosion).  

It also is used to help keep growth off the tracks.

Answer 3

They keep grass, and weeds from growing and dirt from getting washed out from the rain

Answer 4

Perhaps you're referring to the piles of ballast that sit apart from the ballast underneath the tracks. If that's the case, you're looking at stored or stockpiled ballast. It's put at different sites for easy access.

Answer 5

They are there to replace the bed material as needed. If the railroad bed starts to deteriorate, then the rocks are needed to replenish those that are to be replaced.

Answer 6

The Ballast, or rocks besides the tracks, are used to properly drain the water away from the rails.

Answer 7

to keep stactic electricity from interupting the train, because it might affect the train. with best regard.

Answer 8

The rock provides a much more stable base than soil, for keeping the track and ties in place.

Answer 9

its the base of the railway.provides support

Answer 10

it provides support for the track and allows drainage

Answer 11

The term for gravel  used in raileroad track laying is called ballast.

Track ballast, consisting of gravel, cinders or other aggregate, forms the trackbed upon which railroad ties (US) or railway sleepers (UK) are laid. It is used to facilitate drainage of water, and to create an even running surface. This also serves to hold the track in place as the trains roll by.

Answer 12

Track ballast, consisting of gravel, cinders or other aggregate, forms the trackbed upon which railroad ties (US) or railway sleepers (UK) are laid. It is used to facilitate drainage of water, and to create an even running surface. This also serves to hold the track in place as the trains roll by.

In the early days of railroads in the United States, much material for ballast came from rock found in the local area. In the Midwest, for example, much use was made of quartzite, while states in the southeast, such as Florida, made use of limestone. One specific type of quartzite used in the Midwest earned the name "Pink Lady" due to its color; in other areas, the ballast can be a mix of light and dark colors called "Salt and Pepper".

Answer 13

Their low iron content makes them anemic, and therefore a lot more tired than most other rocks. That's why they're often found near railway sleepers...

Answer 14

They hold the railway ties in place.

Answer 15

They are way necessary, the fist sized rocks are "ballast" that holds the ties from scooting around and causing drealiments.

The car sized rocks are "rip rap" that stabilize stram banks to keep them from washing causing . . . . you guessed it, deraliments.

RR's would not be able to operate without rocks, clean crushed rocks in very specific sizes and grades.

Answer 16

There is iron in those rocks.  When a train passes by, the wheels and the rails set up a magnetic field that attracts those kind of rocks.

Hey, who gave me a thumbs down?  I thought that was a good joke!

Answer 17

they control the track

Answer 18

no idea, but good question

Answer 19

hmmmm.... maybe so dirt and dust doesnt fly up? Maybe.... so grass and weeds dont grow over the tracks?

Answer 20

3 reasons...

1.  To keep the ground underneath the tracks from eroding. Track beds are always raised above grade slightly.

2.  Keep weeds/trees from growing onto/under the tracks.

3.  To reduce vibration felt on the train when the train passes over that spot.

Answer 21

you need a substantial bed to lay rails on and hold hundreds of tons of moving weight. also the rocks let water drain away to keep the ties from rotting.

Answer 22

Those 'rocks' are called Ballast and they prevent the track from bending out of its shape/guage.  They usually bend because of the heavy loads over different terrain.  Over time, the ground starts to set, which can also be prevented by ballast.

Answer 23

LOL the rocks feed on the c**p that falls from the trains

Answer 24

They prevent the dirt under the tracks from eroding.

Answer 25

They are used for repairs of the railroad line when a flood or strong wind erodes them away.

Answer 26

it may be part of the compaction necessary to build the tracks on