NEWBIE HERE. WHAT IS A SANDING STATION? WHY DO LOCOMOTIVES NEED SAND?
from what I understand the sand is used to provide traction , the sand is placed on the track for areas where a locomotive need extra grip on the rails. I could be wrong I’m new at this myself.
Welcome, have fun & be safe,
Karl
This is correct. Next time you see a diesel locomotive, notice the small hoses attached to the front and rear of each truck. Dry sand is loaded into each locomotive, then compressed air blows the sand through these hoses and onto the rails just in front of the lead wheel of each truck. This is done to improve adhesion between the wheel and the rail. The sanders are controlled by a switch on the engineer’s control panel.
Tom
thanks guys, it sure makes sense now. For the life of me I couldn’t figure that one out.