Document text
3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Water crew search leads to lead ... Darex adding space and employees amid a sales boom ... Family, pet escape Medford house fire safely ... Water crew search leads to lead ... Darex adding space and employees amid a sales boom ... Family, pet escape Medford house fire safely ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Gravel holds train rails in place Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 19, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Jun. 19, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Why are there small stones or gravel beside railroad tracks? — Julian H., Medford Believe it or not, Julian, those stones have a purpose. So much of a purpose, in fact, they have an official name. According to www.quora.com , the crushed stones (or gravel) are called ballast. The purpose of ballast is to hold the wooden cross ties in place, which keeps the rails from moving. Even though they look, and are, heavy, the steel tracks on the ground face many challenges. They expand and contract because of the heat, experience ground vibrations, endure water buildup from rainstorms and weed growth from below. Train tracks are unburdened most of the time. But when a train passes through, the locomotives can carry loads as heavy as 1 million pounds. To keep the tracks in place, workers start with a foundation on bare ground that is raised high enough to avoid flooding. The ballast is laid on top of the foundation; then come the beams and rails, which are surrounded by more crushed stone. Essentially, the sharp edges of the stones make it difficult for the beams to slide over each other, which locks them in place. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 19, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501