Typically 28–50mm
Rail
High-Performance Materials for Rail Networks Across Europe
The European rail network consumes approximately 300 million tonnes of aggregate annually, primarily for maintenance and infrastructure upgrades. A significant portion of this demand is for rail ballast—a critical component in ensuring the safety, stability, and performance of railway systems.
What Is Rail Ballast?
Rail ballast is a specialist aggregate used as the bedding layer beneath railway tracks. It serves several essential functions:
- Distributes the load of passing trains
- Supports track geometry and alignment
- Prevents lateral movement of railway sleepers
- Provides free-draining support to protect the track structure from water damage
Key Material Properties:
Nominal Size
Shape
Angular for interlock and load-bearing stability
Material
Hard igneous rock, most commonly crushed granite, to ensure durability and resistance to fragmentation
Using the correct aggregate size and shape is essential. Too many fine particles reduce drainage capacity, while an excess of oversized particles can prevent proper load distribution to the subgrade.
- Withstand the immense weight of fully loaded trains
- Transfer load safely to the underlying formation
- Maintain shape under vibration and weather conditions
- Resist erosion and settlement over time
We also supply a full range of materials for rail infrastructure works, including:
- Track Ballast – Primary support for track systems
- Blanketing Sand – Placed between subgrade and ballast for filtration and separation
- Embankment Fill – For building and reinforcing rail embankments, slopes, and access roads
- Drainage & Backfill Materials – To manage groundwater and protect structural layers
RedRox provides high-performance rail aggregates throughout the UK and across Europe, with flexible delivery by:
- Tipper lorries
- Railhead transfer
- Marine freight (barge and vessel)
Need to meet project specifications or supply at scale?
Get in touch with our rail aggregate team for technical support, quotes, and logistics planning.
Quarried Aggregates
RedRox supplies a comprehensive range of quarried aggregates, sourced from some of the most reputable and strategically located quarries across England, Scotland and Wales.
Recycled & Secondary Aggregates
At RedRox, we are committed to promoting sustainable construction by offering a wide range of recycled and secondary aggregates as environmentally responsible alternatives to quarried products.
Sub-Bases & Bulk Fills
At RedRox, we supply a full range of Series 800 compliant quarried sub-base aggregates, suitable for a wide variety of applications.
Rock Armour & Rip Rap Supply
RedRox supplies Rock Armour, also known as Rip Rap, across England, Scotland and Wales, offering one of the widest selections of stone types and sizes available in the UK.