ballast vs ballast bed

Both 'ballast' and 'ballast bed' are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. 'Ballast' refers to the material (usually stones or gravel) used to support and stabilize a railroad track, while 'ballast bed' specifically refers to the layer of ballast material beneath the railroad ties.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 807 views

The term 'ballast' is correct and commonly used in the context of railroad tracks to refer to the material that provides stability and support.

"ballast"

Use 'ballast' when referring to the material (usually stones or gravel) placed beneath railroad tracks to provide stability and support.

Examples:

The workers are laying down new ballast to improve the stability of the railroad tracks.
The ballast prevents the tracks from shifting during heavy rains.

Show examples from the web [+]

I shall be ballast, there.
Look. 'lnfecting ballast programs of Ellingson tankers'.
Ballasts for fluorescent lamps without integrated ballast shall have the efficiency:
The purification of ballast water is a simple procedure that must be undertaken across the board.
In addition, something needs to be done about exotic species and the problem of ballast water.
Permanent ballast shall not be removed from the ship or relocated without the approval of the Administration.
Throwing overboard, as ballast, to change our direction.
When they come back, they actually dump this oily ballast water into the ocean.
The report would have been better without such intellectual ballast.
Aboard the Nautilus, we use such baubles for ballast.
Lighten ship and drop all ballast.
Marine aquatic invasive species are increasing in European waters due to poor water ballast management on board ships docking in European harbours.
No oil spill was detected, but two holes were found in the ballast tanks.
In-flight fuel and ballast management - balloons
Such as transport routes, ports (ballast water), angling.
Load components including passengers, baggage, freight and ballast;
Any seawater ballast controls'll be in the bridge as well.
When you set sail, my friend had his ear and you were ballast.
Part of it was unsold comics were used as ballast in ships.
The aft compartments are likely flooded from the damage, and our ballast pumps have no power.

Alternatives:

track ballast
railroad ballast
rail ballast
stone ballast
gravel ballast

The term 'ballast bed' is correct and specifically refers to the layer of ballast material that supports the railroad ties and provides stability to the tracks.

"ballast bed"

Use 'ballast bed' when referring to the layer of ballast material beneath the railroad ties that supports and stabilizes the tracks.

Examples:

The maintenance crew is inspecting the ballast bed for any signs of wear or erosion.
The ballast bed needs to be replaced to ensure the safety of the railway line.

Show examples from the web [+]

The aerodynamic interaction between rolling stock and infrastructure may cause the lifting and further blowing away of ballast stones from the track bed.

Alternatives:

track bed
rail bed
railroad bed
stone bed
gravel bed

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ballast vs ballast bed

"ballast"

"ballast bed"

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