49 CFR § 213.103 - Ballast; general.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s213.103"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 213.103 - Ballast; general."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "213.103"
section_name: "Ballast; general."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "213"
part_name: "TRACK SAFETY STANDARDS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 20102-20114 and 20142; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; and 49 CFR 1.89."
regulatory_source: "63 FR 34029, June 22, 1998, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "213"
---


# 213.103 Ballast; general.

Unless it is otherwise structurally supported, all track shall be supported by material which will—

(a) Transmit and distribute the load of the track and railroad rolling equipment to the subgrade;

(b) Restrain the track laterally, longitudinally, and vertically under dynamic loads imposed by railroad rolling equipment and thermal stress exerted by the rails;

(c) Provide adequate drainage for the track; and

(d) Maintain proper track crosslevel, surface, and alinement.