Why are there little stones in between the railway tracks?

M0T · 5 Oct 2008 at 23:59

They are placed between the tracks round where I live (Croydon area), see a lot of them just left in stations. I only thought there was a reason for them being there since they only seem to be left between the tracks rather than at the side.

"andy" · 5 Oct 2008 at 23:59

M0T said:
I have always wondered why you often see old rails left sat on the sleepers, there are areas round here that are absoutely littered with them and they have been there for years.

?

rare sight to be fair. round here the gypos will take them if the rail people dont get there first !

gillywibble · 6 Oct 2008 at 00:00

They weren't there originally. They have been deposited over the years by chavs throwing them at every passing train.

Blackvault · 6 Oct 2008 at 00:04

M0T said:
They are placed between the tracks round where I live (Croydon area), see a lot of them just left in stations. I only thought there was a reason for them being there since they only seem to be left between the tracks rather than at the side.

Aye they are old rails that will probably be collected next time there is maintenance in the area. There is no point sending a train and crew out to left the rails as its probably very expensive.

Blackvault

Dolph · 6 Oct 2008 at 00:07

Railway lines are really litter trays for all the big cats that roam the english countryside...

I should not have said that, they'll be looking for me now....

*goes into hiding*

Slinwagh · 6 Oct 2008 at 00:10

Am I right in saying that the track is not actually fastened down?

The rails are connected to the sleepers but the sleepers are not fastened to the ground, it is the weight of the rails, sleepers and ballast that keeps everything in place?

shauncr91 · 6 Oct 2008 at 00:11

Slinwagh said:
Am I right in saying that the track is not actually fastened down?

The rails are connected to the sleepers but the sleepers are not fastened to the ground, it is the weight of the rails, sleepers and ballast that keeps everything in place?

I'm fairly sure that modern rails are concreted in.

Iraklis F.C. · 6 Oct 2008 at 00:16

shauncr91 said:
I'm fairly sure that modern rails are concreted in.

yep

Blackvault · 6 Oct 2008 at 00:21

Slinwagh said:
Am I right in saying that the track is not actually fastened down?

The rails are connected to the sleepers but the sleepers are not fastened to the ground, it is the weight of the rails, sleepers and ballast that keeps everything in place?

Its more the weight of the concrete sleepers, rails, trains and ballast that holds them down I thought.

Blackvault

Slinwagh · 6 Oct 2008 at 00:21

shauncr91 said:
I'm fairly sure that modern rails are concreted in.

To the sleepers yes, but is the sleeper in turn fastened to the ground?

shauncr91 · 6 Oct 2008 at 00:23

Slinwagh said:
To the sleepers yes, but is the sleeper in turn fastened to the ground?

I thought that the sleepers were concreted in, and the rails bolted onto the sleeper =/

[TW]Fox · 6 Oct 2008 at 00:27

Slinwagh said:
To the sleepers yes, but is the sleeper in turn fastened to the ground?

No, it is not. It is kept in position by the weight of the sleeper - modern sleepers are concrete. Sleepers move slightly as a train passes over them.

Iraklis F.C. · 6 Oct 2008 at 00:32

rails are bolted onto concrete sleepers , sleepers are still placed over gravel . but old wooden sleepers are not in use today afaik
piccy of brand new railway in athens
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/themes/olympe/pictures/high/912_003_039.jpg

Cupra · 6 Oct 2008 at 00:50

they still use the old stuff over here with there steam railway to keep it authentic

cheets64 · 6 Oct 2008 at 02:56

Sleepers are heavy, you ever tried lifting one, Christ back breaker.

fiveub · 6 Oct 2008 at 08:15

What what happen if I removed a lot of gravel from the track? Would it cause a major accident? Or is it purely extra weight just in case, and also the draining and stopping plants?

-Ad- · 6 Oct 2008 at 09:35

It is also cheaper than concrete, but much more of a biatch to walk on.

And no it is not there to be used as ammunition for train attacks

What what happen if I removed a lot of gravel from the track? Would it cause a major accident? Or is it purely extra weight just in case, and also the draining and stopping plants?

Damn chav, hope you get run over by a train and lose some limbs

fiveub · 6 Oct 2008 at 09:39

I wouldn't do it myself, I was just wondering what would happen. Thank you for the harsh comment anyway.

wordy · 6 Oct 2008 at 09:43

They're not actually stones, it's fossiled crap from the olden days when train toilets flushed directly onto the track. Thats why you can't open windows on trains, the smell is that bad.

Cosimo · 6 Oct 2008 at 10:15

To soak up the wee from the trains loos.