SHORTLINE BALLAST is produced using premium Ordovician Dolomitic Limestone. It is manufactured to specified physical properties and predetermined sizes. Because the material is impacted by high vibratory movement when utilized by railroads, the quality of material must be of the highest quality available.
and predetermined sizes. The number of fractured faces created by our
unique cone crushing plant provides exceptional interlocking properties.
It yields the finest crushed aggregate available from one of the
hardest limestone ledges in all of Iowa.
product of years of design, development, innovation, and
diligent effort by some fo the finest engineers in the
aggregate production industry.
into our aggregate production plant. Small aggregates are loaded
directly from plant to rail car, using a custom designed, state
of the art, loading system.
Shortline Ballast - Ordovician Dolomitic Limestone
The Perfect Shortline Ballast
Shortline Ballast is also known as ballast stone, railroad ballast, walking ballast, mainline ballast, yard ballast, AREMA ballast, AREMA 4a and AREMA 5 ballast. This material is used primarily for railroads as mainline ballast or cross walk material. Because the purpose of Shortline Ballast is to improve drainage. Ordovician Dolomitic Limestone is the perfect source material for Shortline Ballast. Ordovician Dolomitic Limestone’s physical properties enhance drainage and it’s interlocking shape helps to stabilize and disperse the load of the overall track structure.
Shortline Ballast in Agricultural Construction
Shortline Ballast is very effective when used as a base for agricultural construction. It is a excellent choice of bedding material because of it’s drainage properties. These properties promote the stabilization of roadways where water or traffic may cause soft sections.
Producing Pattison Shortline Ballast
Pattison produces Shortline Ballast products in our state-of-the-art, jaw/cone crushing plant. Our plant features a compression crushing system that is designed to reduce fines and increase fractured faces. Pattison high quality Shortline Ballast is excellent for shortline railroads and private company rail sidings.
Shortline Ballast Direct to Rail Loadout
With a direct to rail transfer system, products move quickly from production to rail loading with minimal handling. This dramatically reduces product degradation and handling costs. Aggregates can be delivered directly onto railroad tracks with Pattison’s bottom dump hopper cars. This saves our customers additional handling costs.
Pattison’s facility offers multiple quality ledges that meet railroad specifications throughout the United States. When used in non-railroad environments such as roadways, superior freeze/thaw properties reduce maintenance costs and enhance durability. Here’s what Wikipedia has to say.
More about Ordovician Dolomitic Limestone
When it comes to rock, age really matters. Ordovician Dolomitic Limestone is some of the highest quality, hardest and most durable anywhere in Iowa. Ordovocian formations are only found in the northeast portion of Iowa. Pattison’s Clayton, IA quarry site is right in the middle of it.
Ballast Stone Certifications
| Certifications | Sizes | Tech Size | Material Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa Interstate Railroad | Gradation 4a Gradation 5 | 2-1/2"X3/4" 1"x3/8" | Dolomitic Limestone |
| AREMA | AREMA 4 AREMA 4a AREMA 5 | 1.5" x 3/4" 2" x 3/4" 1" x 3/8" | Dolomitic Limestone |
Ballast Stone Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Bulk Specific Gravity | 2.60 to 2.79 |
| Absorption | 1.0% to 1.9% |
| Deleterious materials | 0% to .14% |
| Degradation | 24% to 34.5% |
| Sodium Sulfate Soundness | 1% to 4.8% |
| Flat & Elongated Particles | 2.5% to 5% |
State of the art Aggregate Plant
Pattison’s newly installed Cone Crusher and production plant is state-of-the-art, producing some of the highest quality Ordovician Dolomitic Limestone Shortline Ballast.
Material is separated into various required sizes without inducing fractures, while yielding a refined individual rack shape that is the most desirable for tight compaction and stability. Pattison’s new aggregate plant produces Shortline Ballast of exceptional quality.
Logistics second to none
Pattison recently completed its Rail Spur project, extending multiple rail lines directly into our new state-of-the-art aggregate production plant!.
Pattison’s advanced direct to rail loadout system coupled with the Pattison rail spur allows aggregate products to be loaded directly from the production plant on to enclosed rail ore cars for delivery. Eliminating excess handling saves costs, and insures a higher quality product.
Pattison High Quality Aggregates and Proppants
Pattison produces high quality ordovician dolomitic limestone Aggregates and silica proppants. Â Our Clayton IA, quarry contains multiple limestone ledges yielding material with a variety of properties that meet various requirements. Â Our products are certified for use by multiple state Departments of Transportation, and the FAA.
Revetment Stone
Asphalt Stone
Ballast Stone
Concrete Stone
Clean Stone
Fine Aggregate
RoadRock
Proppants
Specialty Products
Contact our Aggregate Sales Team for more information!
Contact our Aggregate Team Now!
Our quarry is located in Clayton, IA. We are one of the only sources of Aggregates and Proppants that can load directly to Rail, Truck or Barge from the same facility! Our logistic & delivery systems out pace our competitors. We’d love to hear from you!
Contact information
Aggregate Team
: (563) 964-0106
: AggInfo@pattisonsand.com
Main Office
701 1st Street
Clayton, IA 52049
: (563) 964-2860
: info@pattisonsand.com
Operations Office
24312 Mississippi Rd., Clayton, IA 52049
Hours of operation
Office Open Monday – Friday: 8am to 4pm
Operating Hours – 24/7