Why is there gravel on a railroad track?

Question

Why is there gravel on a railroad track?

Answer 1

The ballast supports the trackage and disperses the weight of the consist.

Answer 2

Yes, yes, it disperses weight, and helps hold the track and such... But no one has mentioned its other important purpose!

Drainage! Standing water on tracks is not good, especially with wood ties...

Answer 3

To help absorb the shock and weight of the trains.  It keeps the ground around the tracks from being vibrated as much, therefore lasting longer.

Answer 4

The gravel is actually called 'ballast'.  This is used for support of the tracks.  The amount of weight that a single railroad car bears on the tracks is tremendous.  Without the support the railroad ties and rails would sink into the soil below it.  Some early railroad beds did not have ballast.

Answer 5

1. Shock absorber

2. Water drainage

3. If make dificult for people to walk on rail road

4. Identify and locate the rail lines from a distance

5. Looks good

Answer 6

yes it is to distribute weight etc but the primary purpose is also drainage as mentioned in one result above.

In the coal loop - the open rail cars carrying coal - he coal powder fly and fills the ballast and when it rains the coal powder hardens and water starts logging and degrades the wooden ties.