Frac Sand and Ballast

[Blazeman]

Interesting parallel to what modelers do for roadbed...dribble an adhesive to dry and lock the ballast in place. Wonder what they'll do for surface tension relief?

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/mow/article/UWMadison-researchers-hope-fracsand-impact-study-will-help-railroads-improve-ballast-maintenance--44639?source=pr_digital06/03/2015&usedate=06/03/2015

[eja]

An interesting read ..... thanks for posting.

[peteski]

Using glue to hold ballast on 1:1 tracks is nothing new.  Back in 2005 when I visited Japan, when I was waiting on the platform of a Shinkansen (bullet train) I noticed that the ballast on the tracks was sealed with some sort of adhesive.  It even had a satin sheen like when you apply too much white glue to N scale ballast.  They do that so when a train goes by the station at high speed the ballast isn't kicked up onto the platform and passengers waiting there.