Geotextiles are typically used in railroad applications to handle the tasks of separation, filtration, and lateral drainage. Little is known about any strengthening impact geotextiles have on soft subgrades beneath railroads, according to current knowledge. According to test installations, woven geotextiles have a tendency to clog with time and act nearly like a plastic sheet, obstructing the drainage of water from the subgrade. The elevation of the track structure may be such that the geotextile is positioned below the extent of the natural ground in some places. The inflow of water should be stopped where the natural ground surface is higher than the geotextile. A geotextile-lined or fully enclosed French drain built along the edge of the track to filter the water.