I'd Tamp That

This design was inspired by a comment made to me by a Track Superintendent while discussing geometry issues though a turnout and is a perfect gift for anyone who works on track or loves a well maintained perway!

Tamping is a crucial maintenance process in railway engineering that involves adjusting and compacting the ballast (the crushed stones or gravel beneath the railway tracks). This is done using specialized machinery called tamping machines, which lift the track slightly and insert vibrating metal tines to compact the ballast underneath. The purpose of tamping is to ensure the tracks are properly aligned both horizontally and vertically and are firmly supported by an even, dense layer of ballast.