The　influence　of　elastic　sleepers　on　the　mechanical　properties　of　ballast　beds　under　train　loads　was　systematically　studied.　Firstly,　a　refined　ballast　bed　model　considering　the　angular　characteristics　of　ballast　particles　was　established　by　using　the　discrete　element　method.　Secondly,　the　accuracy　of　this　model　was　validated　through　on-site　dynamic　testing　results.　Finally,　the　influence　of　elastic　sleeper　pads　on　various　aspects,　such　as　ballast　particle　contact　forces,　frictional　energy,　ballast　particle　movement,　and　ballast　bed　deformation　was　analyzed　from　a　macro-micro　perspective.　The　results　show　that　the　deformation　of　the　elastic　sleeper　pads　plays　a　buffering　role.　As　a　result,　the　distribution　of　dynamic　train　loads　is　more　uniform.　The　load-sharing　ratio　decreases　by　5.67%.　The　force　on　the　ballast　particles　directly　beneath　the　wheel　also　decreases.　The　decreasing　trend　of　ballast　particles　breaking　and　turning　into　powder　appears.　Overall　vibration　of　the　ballast　bed　decreases　by　the　use　of　elastic　sleeper　pads.　Sliding　between　ballast　particles　under　train　loads　diminishes.　The　growth　rate　of　frictional　energy　of　ballast　particles　slows　down.　Wear　and　pulverization　of　ballast　particles　also　decreases.　Greater　elastic　deformation　of　the　track　under　dynamic　train　loads　is　observed　when　elastic　sleeper　pads　are　used.　However,　the　angular　velocity　and　plastic　displacement　of　ballast　particles　decrease.　Consequently,　track　bed　stability　is　maintained,　and　the　speed　of　track　bed　settlement　and　deformation　decreases.　The　lifespan　of　the　railway　track　is　extended　and　maintenance　costs　are　lowered.　©　2023　Central　South　University　of　Technology.　All　rights　reserved.