PREVENTION AND DESTRUCTION OF WEEDS ON THE PERMANENT WAY

A number of suggestions are advanced for clearing tracks of weeds that have gained a foothold in the ballast. The expedient of renewing the ballast has been tried on certain lengths, where perennial weeds have become particularly troublesome. This has not always had the desired effect as the new material appears to have acted as a fertilizer. Annual weeds, although not so deeply-rooted as many perennials, call for special attention, as they grow quickly. The grasses growing on embankments and the sides of cuttings can give serious trouble, if they are allowed to seed on to the ballast. This can be prevented by cutting the grass early in the summer, before the seeds have formed. A second cutting, in August or September, is advisable, to prevent late seeding. The disposal of old and dirty ballast has an important bearing on the problem of weed prevention. The introduction of weed-killing trains, fitted with chemical sprayers, has alleviated considerably the task of the maintenance gangs, but it is not always easy to find paths for these trains on lines that carry a heavy traffic.

• Corporate Authors:

  Temple Press Limited

  161-166 Fleet Street
  Longon EC4,   England 
• Publication Date: 1948-4-16

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 453
• Serial:
  • RAILWAY GAZETTE
  • Volume: 88

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Embankments; Maintenance of way; Subgrade (Pavements); Technology; Weed control
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00037929
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 4 1994 12:00AM