movement of trains without being crushed, and must hold the track in proper line and surface.
2.6.
SELECTING BALLAST
Civilian railroads are interested in overall economy in selecting ballast, not only in the
purchase price but also in the cost of maintenance once the ballast is in place. For this reason,
selecting proper ballast is a problem that must be solved for each individual case. Crushed rock,
although far superior to cinders, would never be used on lightly traveled lines because the saving
in maintenance could never offset the original high price, unless rock were extremely plentiful
and cheap in the area. Similarly, cinders, although far cheaper than crushed rock, would not be
used as ballast on a heavily traveled main line because the cost of continually putting the track
back in proper condition would more than eliminate the initial saving. However, good slag might
be cheap enough to justify its use even on the heaviest traveled lines in steel-production areas,
since its quality compares favorably with crushed stone. Slag would certainly be used on branch
lines.
For military lines, ballast selection should be made on a basis similar to that governing a
commercial railroad. Of first importance is its availability. Military track officials may and
usually must use whatever material they find at hand for ballast. Nevertheless, the selection
should be made carefully. A main-line railroad in a theater of operations is a vital supply route;
the condition of its ballast is important. Although cost is not a primary worry, it should be
considered in selecting ballast. Anything that affects cost for civilian railroads affects the
capability of military track officials to successfully carry out their military mission. For exam-ple,
a heavily traveled main line in the United States would probably be ballasted with crushed stone,
because it is more economical in the long run. Fewer men and machines are needed to keep the
track in repair economically. It is also good practice for the military to use high-quality ballast on
an important rail artery, because neither men nor machines are ordinarily on hand to maintain
poorly ballasted track in a theater of operations.
Using the right ballast in the right place helps a civilian railroad save money. The same
method helps the military to maintain trackage in a satisfactory condition despite shortages of
men and tools. However, the military track official's job is more difficult than that of his civilian
counterpart. Accomplishing it successfully depends largely upon the ability to make proper
compromises and expedients.
24
Previous Page
