Why are there always crushed stones next to train tracks?

[RussNelson]

Did you ever wonder why there are always crushed stones next to train tracks? This article will enlighten you:
http://gizmodo.com/why-you-always-see-c ... Gizmodo%29" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Matt Langworthy]

Good article! Occasionally, shortlines like the Kanona & Prattsburgh RR would build a line without ballast... which resulted in rotting ties and spreading rails.

[Otto Vondrak]

Must have been a slow day at Gizmodo.

Moving this to General Discussion.

-otto-

[SST]

It was fasinating to watch that video on welded rail. Nice little toys to play with. But I see a lot of back injuries from this job.

[MEC407]

Railroaders and railroad enthusiasts often complain that the general public doesn't understand or know enough about railroads... so I'm glad to see a mainstream web site discussing this subject. It would be great if they did this more often.