Have You Ever Wondered?
Why would the railway tracks be lying on a bed of stones?
Ballast
These stones under the tracks are called ballast.
What Is Ballast For?
Ballast is material that is used to provide stability to a vehicle or structure. And the wood sleepers keep a firm hold of the rails.
In Place
The stones also keep the rail tracks in place.
Sharp Stones
The stones are sharp to prevent the wooden beams from sliding.
Altitude
They also raise the ground, and prevent the rails from getting flooded, by draining the water.
No Weeds
Plus, they prevent the growth of weeds and any kind of vegetation that would interfere with the correct functioning of the rails. So, as you now know, they are exteremely important!
