Ballast ? Is this something new....

[Rangerover]

I'll be starting my yard ballast soon and was wondering if this is today's method of ballast, this is part of the "New Yard" in Elkins West Virginia  they completed last year, they covered the ties completely with ballast. Is this normal?

[cacole]

 Not unless they're concrete ties.  Wood ties will rot from the retained moisture if they're totally covered like that. 

[NevinW]

It has been a while since I was in Elkins. When did they run the tracks back over the bridge and in front of the depot. That is great! - Nevin

[tangerine-jack]

There is probably a concrete slab under the rails, the ballast added for safety of passangers and crew.  This is not much different than the asphalt covered industrial areas.

[Rangerover]

NevinW

It has been a while since I was in Elkins. When did they run the tracks back over the bridge and in front of the depot. That is great! - Nevin

They finished the new bridge over the Tygart River last year and the new tracks. They started running trains early summer. They have 2 sets switched just this side of the bridge. Everything else is gone and replaced by The Mountain Theater, and the Holiday Express Inn which also opened last summer. They are right now building The Railroad Museum and as I talked to one of the town council members, they are planning on putting back the round house and turntable. Tourism, big part of our economy! The original station is still here and that's of course where you buy tickets. It was a grand time seeing the 3 truck Shays come to town last summer. I accidently deleted the album those pics were in, but I will take more and this time post them on this site. The Shays are incredibly beautiful! Here is  a pic of the yard from 1981, all gone, and now they're putting it back. I live 2 miles from the station, just off 33, on North Randolph Ave, by the DOT yard." Welcome Home" if you ever get back to Elkins. Jim