[CBQ] Ballast

["CenturyLink Customer rksmes@q.com [CBQ]" <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>]

List- Many years ago I had a H.S. friend who worked on a track survey crew for 
the NP.  I remember him telling us that both the GN and the NP used crushed 
"junk" granite from the pits near St. Cloud.  He said that it was only screened 
for tiny and oversized pieces.  Once in place and vibrated, then had trains run 
on the tracks, it packed so hard that they could not easily drive even a metal 
stake in the centerline. 

I think the CB&Q also used it south of St. Paul.  I have had the small pieces 
in places around my house for 50 years and it still looks the same. 

Bob Sorensen