Railway Ballast in Track Construction

By @dM1nBlog
Before explaining the relevance of railway ballast for the railway industry, it is important to briefly explain what this material actually is. Ballast is crushed stone that is laid to provide stability to sleepers (these are the transverse elements to the axis of the track that serve to hold the two rails together while keeping them at a fixed distance).
Railway ballast keeps the sleepers level and aligned; it is also used to raise or renew them without affecting the track bed. When this material is used properly, and the construction is done correctly, it provides a firm and uniform support. In simple terms, ballast distributes the weight proportionally, allowing the train to travel smoothly over the track.

Materials That Can Be Used as Railway Ballast

Railway ballast can be made from crushed igneous rock or slag. The rock can be basalt, granite, andesite, or rhyolite.
In recent years, with the railway industry’s growing interest and the search for new alternatives to prolong the lifespan of this material while also being sustainable, there has been a shift towards constructing slab tracks to replace ballast. However, this option is always more expensive.
On one hand, research is focused on replacing stone with prefabricated cement elements, and on the other hand, there are proposals to add polyurethane over the ballast to extend its durability. There has also been talk of a “high-performance ballast” that is treated with rubber particles, resulting in a material of excellent quality while also reducing its environmental impact.
Although there are various options for elements, studies continue to improve the use of ballast.

Intermodal Corridor Between Port of Lázaro Cárdenas and Chicago

Another major project in the railway industry—specifically from the Canadian CP-KCS consortium—is the first international intermodal train in Mexico, aimed at avoiding the constant delays caused by the supply chain in North America.
The fact that a single line offers railway services from the Mexican Pacific in Michoacán to Chicago represents a safe border crossing and a much more efficient service, opening up endless possibilities.

What Happens When Poor-Quality Railway Ballast Is Used?

Sleepers are a key component for the proper functioning of the railway. When building tracks without ballast, or using low-quality ballast, the lifespan of the sleepers is minimal, and the overall structure may develop failures.
A track without railway ballast will not only last a short time but could also cause damage to the train and lead to accidents along its route.
On the other hand, using good-quality railway ballast brings numerous benefits: long-term cost savings (as there will be no setbacks), the ability to correct the track through tamping operations, faster construction or repairs, and lastly, reduced vibrations and noise overall.

It is important to note that to prevent derailments, in addition to using optimal materials, factors such as the region, soil type, weather phenomena, and especially the load to be transported must be considered. Railway ballast should not be underestimated; although it may seem like just another element of infrastructure, it is a key component that can make a big difference in the train’s performance.

In all projects carried out by Track Speq, we use only the highest guaranteed quality railway ballast. We invite you to contact us if you require track construction services.

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