The stones that lie around the railway tracks are known as track ballast. Sharp-edged stones are used in ballast and their task is to hold the wooden cross ties in place. These hold the rails in place, prevent them from swaying or dislocating when the trains run on them. They prevent the weeds and vegetation to grow around the tracks. Lastly but most importantly, they play a very big role in maintaining water drainage around the tracks. With water in or around the tracks, it could result in weakening or softening of the ground on which the tracks stand.
Why are there stones alongside the railway tracks?
