[IndianaTrails] Keep the ballast

[Kevin Heber]

-----Original Message-----
From: Dan McCain [mailto:mccain at carlnet.org] 
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2006 11:16 PM


A response to the question about selling off the ballast:
 
The coarse ballast makes a good base and all that is really needed is to
level the bed after the ties were salvaged and place 4-5 inches of
"screenings" (fine limestone with small chips) on top.  We have done this in
Delphi on a section of old MONON railbed that we call the "Monon High Bridge
Trail".  It is a beautiful trail with a great view of Deer Creek from up
high over the narrow valley bluffs.  It is just to the southeast of town.
 
This grade of stone is available to us from our local limestone quarry and
it is a byproduct of the crushing of some other commercial grade.  Our rail
right-of-way came to us because the farmer wanted to use the ballast for a
source of stone in developing his new livestock facility.  We found out
about this potential destruction (removal of stone) and approached the
farmer with the question "would you give us the land if we provided the
stone you need?"  He agreed and our non-profit organization went to the
local quarry operator and asked "would you give us the stone if we gave you
a tax donation slip?"
 
It all worked out and the base of ballast made a very good foundation with a
smooth "screenings" surface slightly wider than the former ties.  If we
would have lost the ballast the site would have been ruined by being
deepened rather than elevated.  All we had to do was truck the stone to the
site and take a tractor and blade to level the stone.  Mother Nature
provided the compacting of the fine surface by raining on it in the first
few weeks.   
 
DAN McCAIN, Chairman of Delphi Historic Trails   www.wabashanderiecanal.org 
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