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(last edited July 19, 2005) Front Page | Recent Changes | Title Index | User Preferences | Random Page | HelpThe material most commonly used to form the road bed of a railway track. It is laid on the base formation of the track with the track laid on top of it and provides a storm water drainage medium. It usually consists of granite, whinstone or furnace slag. Ash is sometimes used in yards but not where any sort of speed is required as the dust gets into the rolling stock equipment. A properly maintained railway will have regular tamping of ballast to ensure the track itself is maintained to provide an acceptable standard of ride. Other track forms include slab or non-ballasted track which does not require ballast.
