Why does railroads have gravel?
By damned_dle
@damned_dle (3942)
Philippines
July 1, 2010 9:34am CST
My 5 yo son is drawing a train yard right now and is asking "why does railroads have gravel?". Googling it I found that the main reason is its porous and allows rain water to flow straight through
and holds none of it. But why can't it be just cement now?
1 response
@incus99 (1083)
• Philippines
1 Jul 10
other than its porous nature there are other reasons why its being used... it can dampen the downward bend of steel during heat exposure, its loose texture also dampen the bumps and humps of the railway, oil drip during lubrication drains it lower in the ground, the electrical ground conducted is disseminated in many points of contact..etc..
@rhodzptc (1317)
• Philippines
1 Jul 10
Yes I agreed. One thing I learned about the main reason why they used gravel is that to avoid electric grounds just in case it is raining and some electric powered trained may malfunctioned and short circuit the gravel will lessen the electric conduction.
