The best way to consolidate ballast is to keep running trains over the surfaced area at different speeds. The big mechanical vibrators can only do so much in a pass or two. (enough to concern some about their fillings in their teeth.) It’s all about putting energy into the ground and minimizing voids.
The “prussian flappers” that predated the “shakin boxcars” would fit the fluffing theme here.
On my territory, after the fluffers do their thing - a 10 MPH slow order is put out on the territory that got fluffed. MofW then requests that at least 2 5,000 tons ‘tonnage’ trains operate over the fluffed territory, then after satisfactory MofW inspection the slow order will be changed to 25 MPH. Passenger trains do not count as tonnage trains on my territory - no matter how many operate over the segment. After 24 to 36 hours of 25 MPH operation and further inspection the slow order will be raised to 50 MPH and another 24 hours will get the slow order removed and track speed will be permitted. MofW stays in contact with the Train Dispatcher so that they know what trains have operated over the affected territory.
Successful railroading requires a steady well maintained track structure.
Sounds like a couple of 60’s garage bands to me!
What would the MoW inspector be looking for- rocks out of place?
Up here in Canada, at least on CP, a ballast regulator equipped with a broom and a snow plow is called a “snow fighter”.
mudchicken is the expert in that area.
Just about any uneven settlement/consolidation issue that might occur, usually a dip or crosslevel issue along with what the rail is doing after being re-alligned by the other parts of the surfacing gang. (sun kinks or pull aparts/ rail up in the plates)
(Rocks out of place?: Foghorn Leghorn had the solution for that with his feathers[swg])