https://www.proz.com/kudoz.php/english/transport-transportation-shipping/1797176-ballast-mates.html
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FI
Mar 1, 2007 10:51
18 yrs ago
English term

(ballast) mates

English Other Transport / Transportation / Shipping track systems
I am translating a text about track renewal and refurbishment in the rail sector. There is a chart regarding the different kind of tracks (segregated, embbedded, in tunnels, on bridges) and under each of them, there is this term "ballast mates". I know what ballast means but I cannot understand this "mates" and would need an explanation in order to look for the right Spanish term. I have already tried in the EN > ES SC, but I have not been lucky yet! Perhaps you native speakers have an idea what this could mean.

More context:

SEGREGATED TRACKS:
ballast
ballast mates
slab
floating slab
green tracks
other system


Thank you for your help
Responses
4 +1 (ballast) mats
4 ballast mats ????

Discussion

Carmen Cuervo-Arango (asker) Mar 1, 2007:
Hi, William Thank you for your remark. I also think it must be "mats", though you can find many matches for "ballast materials" in the Internet. Have a nice day!
William [Bill] Gray Mar 1, 2007:
Carmen, I don't think it can be "balast material" since that is what "ballast" is in itself, especially in relation to railway maintenance!
Carmen Cuervo-Arango (asker) Mar 1, 2007:
You both are right! I think it must be "ballast mats". I have just asked the company and they confirm the writers are not English speakers. They are going to check now whether it is "mats" or "materials"

Responses

+1
15 mins
Selected

(ballast) mats

Check it out on the web link! It appears to be a misprint, misspelling, or misunderstanding by the original author!!
Reference:

http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/rail/atp/atp5.html

Peer comment(s):
agree Robert Fox
7 hrs
Thanks, Robert!
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you William, HRM, Robert and David for your help. I have finally translated it as ballast mats. Have a nice Sunday!"
19 mins

ballast mats ????


Having worked in railways for decades, I have NEVER encountered the term you are querying. I have however frequently encountered the above (cf. one of many references below):

Critical sections of the line are to be fitted with ballast mats for example. As part of a large-scale pilot project, Sylodyn® ballast mats made by Getzner ...
www.railway-technology.com/contractors/noise/getzner/press1...

Is the test by an English-speaking author or a translation? Are there other errors of this type? Is it a spellcheck that went astray?

De todas formas me parece que se han equivocado
HTH
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