Sandite

Sandite is a substance used on railways in the UK, Ireland,[1] US,[2] the Netherlands[3] and Belgium[4] to combat leaves on the line,[5] which can cause train wheels to slip and become damaged with flat spots. Sandite consists of a mixture of sand, aluminium and a unique type of adhesive.

Leaf build up on the railhead can also cause signalling issues and 'disappearing trains' on the rail control systems (because of the electrically insulating effect of the leaves, which can prevent operation of track circuits).

British Rail conducted research, in 1976, to determine the suitability of Sandite for use as an adhesion improver.[5]

Application

Sandite being applied on Long Island Rail Road tracks.

Sandite is usually applied by a special train which first clears fallen leaves from the rails using high-pressure water, then sprays the sandite onto the rail surface.[6] To assist the staff on the Sandite train in locating the sites concerned, in England and Wales black on yellow lineside markers were installed:[7]

  • The first sign, with three stripes gives advance warning of a Sandite application site
  • The second sign, with two stripes points where application should begin
  • The third sign, with one stripe points where application should end

From 1992, lineside marker boards were installed on the Scottish Region, based on alternative white octagonal boards to denote the commencement and finish points, with no warning sign.[8]

In The Netherlands, Sandite is applied by the first passenger trains of the day,[9] with special maintenance trains available too.

Equipment

Northern Ireland Railways' former sandite train; A converted Class 80 railcar, pictured here at Helen's Bay.

Multiple units used for this have included:

English Welsh & Scottish Railways and Weedfree Limited provide locos, drivers and equipment operators for the Autumn treatment circuit.

Direct Rail Services provide locomotives for loco-hauled stock.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.lloydrail.ie/
  2. ↑ http://web.mta.info/lirr/Video/SlipperyRail/index.htm
  3. ↑ http://www.nu.nl/binnenland/2935125/gel-moet-herfstgladheid-spoor-voorkomen.html
  4. ↑ ""Schuurtrein" moet sporen deze winter ijsvrij houden". deredactie.be. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  5. 1 2 "{title}" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 October 2004. Retrieved 13 October 2007.
  6. ↑ Rail Head Treatment Train @ Fotopic.Net
  7. ↑ "Section 29: Signs for Engineering Trains and Test Trains". Railway Signs and Signals of Great Britain. Sections: 29.6, 29.7, 29.8. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  8. ↑ "Section 29: Signs for Engineering Trains and Test Trains". Railway Signs and Signals of Great Britain. Sections: 29.11, 29.12. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhYEREMr1Oo
  10. ↑ http://neil-gibson.fotopic.net/c1380406.html%5Bpermanent+dead+link%5D


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