Glen
I haven’t seen any reference to the use of shale, but I suspect that the term “clay” was used for any clay soil type that could be fired to make ballast. The 1888
Railroad Gazette states that “Any clay suitable for the manufacture of brick
or tile is available for ballast.
Fat clay soils, such as the so-called gumbo of Missouri and Kansas, the black waxy clay of Texas, and the drift clay of Illinois, make the best quality of ballast.”
Rupert Gamlen
Auckland NZ
From: CBQ@groups.io
On Behalf Of zephyr98072
Sent: Monday, 12 August 2019 11:59 a.m.
To: CBQ@groups.io
Subject: Re: [CBQ] Burnt clay ballast
I looked at the alignment charts again. I don't know why I didn't think of this before (and I knew it but it didn't register), the alignment charts list the ballast as burnt SHALE and not burnt
clay. These materials may not be the same, although I think they are similar, because one definition of shale is clay that has been subjected to more pressure.
I will develop the list any way. It looks like the use of this type of material for ballast is more extensive than I thought, as the line between Holdrege and (just west of) Sterling appears to
have about 75 miles of burnt shale ballast.
I will have a closer look at its use on Sheridan Lines and send you a list.
Thanks, Glen.
From:
CBQ@groups.io On Behalf Of zephyr98072
Sent: Monday, 12 August 2019 8:12 a.m.
To: CBQ@groups.io
Subject: Re: [CBQ] Burnt clay ballast
Let me make a list. It should only take a couple of days. It appears that the dates applied were from about 1950 to 1957 or 1958. I can only assume that since it is still listed on the alignment
charts in the late 60's, that it was still in place at merger in 1970, but I don't know how good the Q was at keeping the ballast information up to date.
Same here about the scoria. It is used in landscaping here in the Northwest and even in the Midwest, and I think extensively used in Arizona and New Mexico where a lot of people try to replicate
desert-type landscaping rather than grass.
Glen
Thanks for this information. Identifying just where the burnt clay ballast was used on the Burlington is the hard part so any data on this would be gratefully received. Is there any indication as to when this ballast was applied or how long it lasted?
Interesting comment about scoria. Here in NZ it is a low density volcanic rock which is quarried and widely used as a drainage medium and filler, and as an ornamental ground cover, but not as ballast.
Rupert
From:
CBQ@groups.io On Behalf Of zephyr98072
Sent: Sunday, 11 August 2019 8:24 p.m.
To: CBQ@groups.io
Subject: Re: [CBQ] Burnt clay ballast
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.
The Burlington was the first U.S. railroad to use burnt clay as ballast, commencing in 1880, and I’m researching the subject for a
Zephyr 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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