Have you ever noticed the gravel on the railroad tracks at KTX station? If you think about it, you might wonder why it is there. So in this article, I will explain the secrets behind the use of gravel on railroad tracks.

The first reason why gravels is used on the railroad tracks is to protect them. Railroad tracks are not just made of steel, but also wood, which is used to keep the railroad tracks from twisting. Gravel is responsible for preventing and fixing these wooden parts from moving due to temperature changes, weather conditions, and other factors. If there is any issue with the tracks, gravel helps fix the problem and prevents any interference with train operations.

Secondly, gravels play a role in the shock dispersion. Trains are heavy, and as they continue to run, the tracks may become more and more submerged or the surrounding area may be damaged. However, if there is gravel on the tracks, it helps disperse the shock and the weight, preventing any serious damage from occurring.

Thirdly, gravel helps with drainage. Gravel allows effective drainage which prevents flooding or railways. Additionally, if gravel is installed, the area is higher than the surrounding area, making it possible to prevent damage from flooding. Even with the heavy rain fall in Korea, it can be seen that the use of gravel on the tracks has prevented any damage to the trains.

Lastly, gravel inhibits the growth of weeds. Do you know that grass grows in the soil, but not in the gravel? The grass growing around the tracks can cause train accidents, and gravel prevents accidents in advance by reducing weed growth.

These are the explanations of why there gravel is used on the railroad tracks. Thank you for reading it.

L.L.F reporter Chae-won Park