diff --git a/application/editormode.cpp b/application/editormode.cpp
index 1e2eadc7..ba91f84e 100644
--- a/application/editormode.cpp
+++ b/application/editormode.cpp
@@ -636,6 +636,7 @@ editor_ui *editor_mode::ui() const
 bool editor_mode::init()
 {
     EditorSettings.load();
+    Global.EditorOrthoBallast = EditorSettings.top_ballast();
     EditorModelSets.load();
     Camera.Init({0, 15, 0}, {glm::radians(-30.0), glm::radians(180.0), 0}, nullptr);
     return m_input.init();
@@ -3516,6 +3517,13 @@ void editor_mode::render_view_menu()
         toggle_ortho();
     if (ImGui::IsItemHovered())
         ImGui::SetTooltip("%s", STR_C("The view straight down without perspective, as on a map; again for the camera as it was"));
+    if (ImGui::MenuItem(STR_C("Ballast in the top view"), nullptr, &Global.EditorOrthoBallast))
+    {
+        EditorSettings.top_ballast(Global.EditorOrthoBallast);
+        EditorSettings.save();
+    }
+    if (ImGui::IsItemHovered())
+        ImGui::SetTooltip("%s", STR_C("Off: the top view draws the rails and sleepers of the tracks without the ballast, so the ground under them shows"));
     ImGui::MenuItem(STR_C("Show lanes"), nullptr, &m_roadtool.lanes);
     if (ImGui::IsItemHovered())
         ImGui::SetTooltip("%s", STR_C("The lanes of the roads drawn as the paths the vehicles take"));
@@ -5521,6 +5529,14 @@ void editor_mode::render_gizmo_options()
         ImGui::SliderFloat(STR_C("Extent (m), wheel / MMB pan"), &Global.EditorOrthoExtent, 5.0f, 50000.0f, "%.0f", ImGuiSliderFlags_Logarithmic);
         if (ImGui::IsItemHovered())
             ImGui::SetTooltip("%s", STR_C("Wheel zooms. Hold the wheel and drag to pan."));
+        ImGui::SameLine();
+        if (ImGui::Checkbox(STR_C("Ballast"), &Global.EditorOrthoBallast))
+        {
+            EditorSettings.top_ballast(Global.EditorOrthoBallast);
+            EditorSettings.save();
+        }
+        if (ImGui::IsItemHovered())
+            ImGui::SetTooltip("%s", STR_C("Off: the top view draws the rails and sleepers of the tracks without the ballast, so the ground under them shows"));
     }
     if (ui()->mode() == nodebank_panel::TRACK && m_track_tab != track_tab::path && m_track_tab != track_tab::turnout && m_track_tab != track_tab::turntable && m_track_tab != track_tab::signals &&
         m_track_tab != track_tab::lineside)
diff --git a/application/editormodeselftestscene.cpp b/application/editormodeselftestscene.cpp
index 4a8cc66e..b74dc2de 100644
--- a/application/editormodeselftestscene.cpp
+++ b/application/editormodeselftestscene.cpp
@@ -275,13 +275,16 @@ editor_mode::selftest_result editor_mode::selftest_scene(std::string const &comm
 	if (command == "ortho")
 	{
 		float extent{0.0f};
-		words >> extent;
+		std::string ballast;
+		words >> extent >> ballast;
 		choose_work_area(work_area::tracks);
 		if (Global.EditorOrtho == extent < 0.0f)
 			toggle_ortho();
 		if (extent > 0.0f)
 			Global.EditorOrthoExtent = std::clamp(extent, 5.0f, 50000.0f);
-		WriteLog(format("SELFTEST ortho extent %.0f", Global.EditorOrthoExtent));
+		if (false == ballast.empty())
+			Global.EditorOrthoBallast = ballast != "noballast";
+		WriteLog(format("SELFTEST ortho extent %.0f ballast %d", Global.EditorOrthoExtent, Global.EditorOrthoBallast ? 1 : 0));
 		return selftest_result::handled;
 	}
 	if (command == "mapstate")
diff --git a/application/editormodeselftestterrain.cpp b/application/editormodeselftestterrain.cpp
index 8ee06f02..2b49a7bc 100644
--- a/application/editormodeselftestterrain.cpp
+++ b/application/editormodeselftestterrain.cpp
@@ -53,6 +53,12 @@ editor_mode::selftest_result editor_mode::selftest_terrain(std::string const &co
 	if (command == "orthophoto")
 	{
 		auto config{m_orthophoto.settings()};
+		if (words.str().find(" off") != std::string::npos)
+		{
+			m_orthophoto.enabled(false);
+			WriteLog("SELFTEST orthophoto off");
+			return selftest_result::handled;
+		}
 		int fit{1};
 		int inscene{0};
 		words >> config.north >> config.east >> config.radius >> fit >> inscene;
diff --git a/editor/editorSettings.cpp b/editor/editorSettings.cpp
index 515d5cdd..4a9b8232 100644
--- a/editor/editorSettings.cpp
+++ b/editor/editorSettings.cpp
@@ -108,6 +108,8 @@ bool editorSettings::load()
 			m_terrain_offer = (value == "1");
 		else if (key == "track_tools_all")
 			m_track_tools_more = (value == "1");
+		else if (key == "top_ballast")
+			m_top_ballast = (value == "1");
 		else if (key.rfind(origin_prefix, 0) == 0)
 		{
 			// northing;easting
@@ -154,6 +156,7 @@ bool editorSettings::save()
 	stream << "first_steps " << (m_first_steps ? 1 : 0) << "\n";
 	stream << "terrain_offer " << (m_terrain_offer ? 1 : 0) << "\n";
 	stream << "track_tools_all " << (m_track_tools_more ? 1 : 0) << "\n";
+	stream << "top_ballast " << (m_top_ballast ? 1 : 0) << "\n";
 	stream << std::fixed << std::setprecision(3);
 	for (auto const &origin : m_orthophoto_origins)
 		stream << origin.first << " " << origin.second.first << ";" << origin.second.second << "\n";
diff --git a/editor/editorSettings.hpp b/editor/editorSettings.hpp
index 84fea1e7..ddee1ab1 100644
--- a/editor/editorSettings.hpp
+++ b/editor/editorSettings.hpp
@@ -61,6 +61,9 @@ public:
 	void terrain_offer(bool Offer) { m_terrain_offer = Offer; }
 	bool track_tools_more() const { return m_track_tools_more; }
 	void track_tools_more(bool Show) { m_track_tools_more = Show; }
+	// the ballast of the railway drawn in the top view
+	bool top_ballast() const { return m_top_ballast; }
+	void top_ballast(bool Show) { m_top_ballast = Show; }
 
 private:
 	movement_scheme m_movement{movement_scheme::wsad};
@@ -74,6 +77,7 @@ private:
 	bool m_first_steps{true};
 	bool m_terrain_offer{true};
 	bool m_track_tools_more{false};
+	bool m_top_ballast{true};
 };
 
 // global editor settings instance
diff --git a/editor/editorTerrainStreamer.cpp b/editor/editorTerrainStreamer.cpp
index 52fa7995..8f799c46 100644
--- a/editor/editorTerrainStreamer.cpp
+++ b/editor/editorTerrainStreamer.cpp
@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ double constexpr upload_budget{0.004}; // seconds of a frame for taking over fin
 int constexpr materials_per_frame{6};
 double constexpr look_ahead{8.0}; // seconds; chunks are loaded around where the camera will be by then
 double constexpr look_ahead_limit{2000.0}; // metres
+double constexpr pixel_distance{1300.0}; // m; a pixel of the top view is as big as one of the 3D view this far away
+int constexpr top_radius{200}; // chunks the top view of the tracks loads around its centre at most
+double constexpr settled_walk{1.0}; // seconds; the chunks around the camera are looked over this often when nothing is coming
 double constexpr region_half{scene::EU07_REGIONSIDESECTIONCOUNT * scene::EU07_SECTIONSIZE * 0.5 - heightmap::chunk_size};
 double constexpr kPi{3.14159265358979323846};
 
@@ -135,6 +138,7 @@ void terrain_streamer::close()
 	m_packs.clear();
 	m_loading.clear();
 	m_removed.clear();
+	m_settled = false;
 	m_palette.clear();
 	m_recording = 0;
 	m_change = change();
@@ -159,6 +163,7 @@ void terrain_streamer::reset()
 	m_packs.clear();
 	m_loading.clear();
 	m_removed.clear();
+	m_settled = false;
 	m_palette.clear();
 	clear_water(false);
 	m_recording = 0;
@@ -506,7 +511,7 @@ int terrain_streamer::wanted_stride(editor_terrain const &Chunk, glm::dvec3 cons
 	// distance from the camera to the box of the chunk
 	glm::dvec3 const offset{std::max({Chunk.m_low.x - Camera.x, 0.0, Camera.x - Chunk.m_high.x}), std::max({Chunk.m_low.y - Camera.y, 0.0, Camera.y - Chunk.m_high.y}),
 	                        std::max({Chunk.m_low.z - Camera.z, 0.0, Camera.z - Chunk.m_high.z})};
-	auto const distance{glm::length(offset)};
+	auto const distance{m_pixel > 0.0 ? m_pixel * pixel_distance : glm::length(offset)};
 	auto const spacing{Chunk.data().spacing()};
 	auto const limit{heightmap::max_stride(Chunk.cells())};
 	auto const stride_for = [&](double const Distance) {
@@ -586,12 +591,19 @@ void terrain_streamer::update(glm::dvec3 const &Camera)
 			m_results.pop_front();
 		}
 		process(done);
+		m_settled = false;
 	}
 
+	// the top view of the tracks wants the terrain as far as the corners of the screen, as fine as its pixels need
+	auto const top{Global.EditorOrtho && Global.editor_tracks};
+	auto const aspect{Global.window_size.x / std::max(1.0, static_cast<double>(Global.window_size.y))};
+	auto const reach{top ? Global.EditorOrthoExtent * std::sqrt(1.0 + aspect * aspect) : 0.0};
+	m_pixel = top ? 2.0 * Global.EditorOrthoExtent / std::max(1, Global.window_size.y) : 0.0;
+
 	// chunks wanted around the camera and around where it's heading
-	auto const range{std::max(m_radius * heightmap::chunk_size, static_cast<double>(Global.BaseDrawRange) * std::max(1.0, static_cast<double>(Global.fDistanceFactor))) + heightmap::chunk_size * 0.5};
-	auto const radius{std::min(64, static_cast<int>(std::ceil(range / heightmap::chunk_size)))};
-	if (m_ringradius != radius)
+	auto const range{std::max({m_radius * heightmap::chunk_size, static_cast<double>(Global.BaseDrawRange) * std::max(1.0, static_cast<double>(Global.fDistanceFactor)), reach}) + heightmap::chunk_size * 0.5};
+	auto const radius{std::min(top ? top_radius : 64, static_cast<int>(std::ceil(range / heightmap::chunk_size)))};
+	if (m_ringradius < radius)
 	{
 		m_ring.clear();
 		for (int dz = -radius; dz <= radius; ++dz)
@@ -606,12 +618,31 @@ void terrain_streamer::update(glm::dvec3 const &Camera)
 	std::vector<chunk_key> centres{here};
 	if (there != here)
 		centres.push_back(there);
+	// a walk which asked for nothing isn't made again until something comes or the camera moves to another chunk
+	if (m_settled && (here != m_walkhere || there != m_walkthere || radius != m_walkradius || now - m_walktime > settled_walk))
+		m_settled = false;
+	if (false == m_settled)
+	{
+		m_walkhere = here;
+		m_walkthere = there;
+		m_walkradius = radius;
+		m_walktime = now;
+		m_settled = m_loading.empty();
+	}
+	else
+		centres.clear();
+	auto const walked{(radius + 1) * (radius + 1)};
 	for (auto const &centre : centres)
 	{
 		for (auto const &offset : m_ring)
 		{
-			if (m_loading.size() >= max_loading)
+			if (offset.first * offset.first + offset.second * offset.second > walked)
 				break;
+			if (m_loading.size() >= max_loading)
+			{
+				m_settled = false;
+				break;
+			}
 			chunk_key const key{centre.first + offset.first, centre.second + offset.second};
 			if (m_chunks.count(key) > 0 || m_loading.count(key) > 0 || m_removed.count(key) > 0)
 				continue;
@@ -627,8 +658,11 @@ void terrain_streamer::update(glm::dvec3 const &Camera)
 				task.generation = pack.generation;
 				task.priority = distance;
 				submit(std::move(task));
+				m_settled = false;
 				continue;
 			}
+			if (pack.status == pack_state::state::loading)
+				m_settled = false;
 			if (pack.status != pack_state::state::ready || false == pack.file->has(key))
 				continue;
 			job task;
@@ -640,6 +674,7 @@ void terrain_streamer::update(glm::dvec3 const &Camera)
 			task.priority = distance;
 			m_loading.insert(key);
 			submit(std::move(task));
+			m_settled = false;
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/editor/editorTerrainStreamer.hpp b/editor/editorTerrainStreamer.hpp
index ab76ca81..beff9746 100644
--- a/editor/editorTerrainStreamer.hpp
+++ b/editor/editorTerrainStreamer.hpp
@@ -295,6 +295,13 @@ class terrain_streamer
 	bool m_hascamera{false};
 	std::vector<chunk_key> m_ring; // offsets of the chunks around a point, the nearest first
 	int m_ringradius{-1};
+	double m_pixel{0.0}; // metres a pixel of the top view spans; none in the 3D view
+	// the last walk over the chunks around the camera, and whether it found nothing more to ask for
+	bool m_settled{false};
+	chunk_key m_walkhere{0, 0};
+	chunk_key m_walkthere{0, 0};
+	int m_walkradius{0};
+	double m_walktime{0.0};
 
 	// shared with the workers, guarded by m_mutex
 	std::mutex m_mutex;
diff --git a/lang/editor_pl.po b/lang/editor_pl.po
index 4d64ab93..8f3408bf 100644
--- a/lang/editor_pl.po
+++ b/lang/editor_pl.po
@@ -9889,3 +9889,12 @@ msgid_plural "\nThe terrain followed the tracks: %zu formations laid anew"
 msgstr[0] "\nTeren poszedł za torami: %zu torowisko ułożone od nowa"
 msgstr[1] "\nTeren poszedł za torami: %zu torowiska ułożone od nowa"
 msgstr[2] "\nTeren poszedł za torami: %zu torowisk ułożonych od nowa"
+
+msgid "Ballast in the top view"
+msgstr "Podsypka w widoku z góry"
+
+msgid "Ballast"
+msgstr "Podsypka"
+
+msgid "Off: the top view draws the rails and sleepers of the tracks without the ballast, so the ground under them shows"
+msgstr "Wyłączone: widok z góry rysuje szyny i podkłady bez podsypki, widać teren pod torami"
diff --git a/rendering/opengl33renderer.cpp b/rendering/opengl33renderer.cpp
index 7f2704da..b77731cf 100644
--- a/rendering/opengl33renderer.cpp
+++ b/rendering/opengl33renderer.cpp
@@ -31,6 +31,14 @@ int constexpr EU07_REFLECTIONFIDELITYOFFSET { 250 }; // artificial increase of r
 
 namespace {
 
+// the top view of the editor shows everything this close to the camera, the corners of the screen included
+float
+editor_ortho_reach()
+{
+	auto const aspect{Global.window_size.x / std::max(1.f, static_cast<float>(Global.window_size.y))};
+	return Global.EditorOrthoExtent * std::sqrt(1.f + aspect * aspect) + 500.f;
+}
+
 float
 editor_track_view_range(float const Range, bool const Apply)
 {
@@ -38,14 +46,22 @@ editor_track_view_range(float const Range, bool const Apply)
 		return Range;
 	float extra = 50000.0f;
 	if (Global.EditorOrtho)
-		extra = Global.EditorOrthoExtent * 3.0f;
+		extra = editor_ortho_reach();
 	return Range > extra ? Range : extra;
 }
 
+// the top view of the editor may leave the ballast of the railway out, for the ground under the tracks to show
+bool
+editor_ballast_hidden(TTrack const *Track, bool const Colour)
+{
+	return Colour && EditorModeFlag && Global.EditorOrtho && false == Global.EditorOrthoBallast && (Track->iCategoryFlag & 15) == 1;
+}
+
+// the top view draws the scenery as far as the tracks; its models keep their own ranges
 bool
 editor_far_tracks_only(bool const Apply, scene::basic_cell const *Cell, glm::dvec3 const &Camera, double const SceneryLimit)
 {
-	if (false == Apply)
+	if (false == Apply || Global.EditorOrtho)
 		return false;
 	double nearest = glm::length(Cell->m_area.center - Camera) - static_cast<double>(Cell->m_area.radius);
 	if (nearest < 0.0)
@@ -4519,6 +4535,10 @@ void opengl33_renderer::Render(scene::basic_cell::path_sequence::const_iterator
 		{
 			continue;
 		}
+		if (track->eType == tt_Normal && editor_ballast_hidden(track, m_renderpass.draw_mode == rendermode::color))
+		{
+			continue;
+		}
 
 		switch (m_renderpass.draw_mode)
 		{
@@ -4582,6 +4602,10 @@ void opengl33_renderer::Render(scene::basic_cell::path_sequence::const_iterator
 		{
 			continue;
 		}
+		if (editor_ballast_hidden(track, m_renderpass.draw_mode == rendermode::color))
+		{
+			continue;
+		}
 
 		switch (m_renderpass.draw_mode)
 		{
diff --git a/rendering/openglrenderer.cpp b/rendering/openglrenderer.cpp
index d66e7bf6..c4351b9e 100644
--- a/rendering/openglrenderer.cpp
+++ b/rendering/openglrenderer.cpp
@@ -33,6 +33,14 @@ int constexpr EU07_REFLECTIONFIDELITYOFFSET { 250 }; // artificial increase of r
 
 namespace {
 
+// the top view of the editor shows everything this close to the camera, the corners of the screen included
+float
+editor_ortho_reach()
+{
+    auto const aspect{ Global.window_size.x / std::max( 1.f, static_cast<float>( Global.window_size.y ) ) };
+    return Global.EditorOrthoExtent * std::sqrt( 1.f + aspect * aspect ) + 500.f;
+}
+
 float
 editor_track_view_range(float const Range, bool const Apply)
 {
@@ -40,14 +48,15 @@ editor_track_view_range(float const Range, bool const Apply)
         return Range;
     float extra = 50000.0f;
     if( Global.EditorOrtho )
-        extra = Global.EditorOrthoExtent * 3.0f;
+        extra = editor_ortho_reach();
     return Range > extra ? Range : extra;
 }
 
+// the top view draws the scenery as far as the tracks; its models keep their own ranges
 bool
 editor_far_tracks_only(bool const Apply, scene::basic_cell const *Cell, glm::dvec3 const &Camera, double const SceneryLimit)
 {
-    if( false == Apply )
+    if( false == Apply || Global.EditorOrtho )
         return false;
     double nearest = glm::length( Cell->m_area.center - Camera ) - static_cast<double>( Cell->m_area.radius );
     if( nearest < 0.0 )
diff --git a/utilities/Globals.h b/utilities/Globals.h
index b2ccd941..c63197aa 100644
--- a/utilities/Globals.h
+++ b/utilities/Globals.h
@@ -174,6 +174,7 @@ struct global_settings {
     float FieldOfView{ 45.f }; // vertical field of view for the camera. TODO: move it to the renderer
     bool EditorOrtho{ false };
     float EditorOrthoExtent{ 150.f };
+    bool EditorOrthoBallast{ true }; // the ballast of the railway drawn in the top view of the editor
     GLint iMaxTextureSize{ 4096 }; // maksymalny rozmiar tekstury
     GLint iMaxCabTextureSize{ 4096 }; // largest allowed texture in vehicle cab
     int iMultisampling{ 2 }; // tryb antyaliasingu: 0=brak,1=2px,2=4px,3=8px,4=16px