Re: [CBQ] Burnt clay ballast

["John Mitchell via Groups.Io" <icrr1680=yahoo.com@groups.io>]

Scoria and burnt clay are not the same. Scoria is a naturedly occurring material. It happens when lightning strikes the ground and sets a shallow coal seam on fire. Then the associated shale "clay" seam is "baked" and that is scoria. Around here when coal "gob piles" burnt, the shale turned to "red dog" which was like scoria.

On Sunday, August 11, 2019, 3:23:35 AM CDT, zephyr98072 <glenehaug@msn.com> wrote:

Rupert:

I can't comment on the use of burnt clay in the past as ballast in Iowa, because I don't know.  I can't see anywhere in alignment charts from the 1950's and 60's that burnt clay is  still used as ballast in Iowa.  I didn't check any other Lines East Divisions, but from memory I would say that it does not show up as being used for ballast anywhere on Lines East.

The only references I can find are on the former Sheridan Division, between Gillette and Huntley, and on the line from Holdrege to Cheyenne.  On these two lines, the use of burnt clay appears to be extensive.  If you want me to, I can try to calculate a total mileage.  If I had to guess, I would say it is shown as the primary ballast for at least 50 track miles on these two lines.

I also seem to remember some of the old heads referring to burnt clay ballast as scoria.  That makes sense to me since burnt clay has a porous, slag-like appearance and is reddish-brown in color.  I also remember them saying that it was fairly decent ballast for light traffic like what was being handled on the Sheridan and Casper lines in the early 60's, but when the coal trains appeared they quickly beat it to death.

Glen Haug

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From: CBQ@groups.io <CBQ@groups.io> on behalf of Rupert Gamlen <gamlenz@hotmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 10, 2019 7:14 PM
To: CBQ@groups.io <CBQ@groups.io>
Subject: [CBQ] Burnt clay ballast

 

The Burlington was the first U.S. railroad to use burnt clay as ballast, commencing in 1880, and I’m researching the subject for aZephyr article.

I know that the first application was in Iowa, with kilns established at Red Oak. Has anyone seen reference to burnt clay being used as ballast on track charts anywhere on the whole CB&Q system? If so, can you contact me direct.

Thanks

Rupert Gamlen
Auckland NZ

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