I got some mainline pics today and saw something I never saw before. It looks like SAND the big brutes use for traction? You can see it running down the rails. It feels really gritty. It wasn’t there yesterday. Now let me say something. I DIDN’T take these pictures. They were taken by a NS worker who is working next to the place were I go to take these pics and videos. I would NEVER go onto the mainline to get these.
It looks a little like a substance we use over here called Sandite - this is a paste involving sand and other substances that is applied to rails at around this time of year to counter-act leaves on the lines (which cause havoc with disc-braked stock as they build up on the wheel treads and either cause the train to slide when braking or refuse to move due to wheelspin upsetting the traction control system).
Gas: I looked at the pics and noticed only one rail was discoloured. It also looks like it was a leak as opposed to sand as there are white drippings.
I would say one of the cars sprung a leak.
Fergie
Either that or a flock of pigeons sitting on top or the truck sideframes, looking out at the passing scenery.
Wayne
I vote for the Pigeons!!!
I’ll go with Matt, it may be “Sandite” which is a product to counter slipping on lines with wet leave residue
That would make sence. There are trees on both side of the 3 mainline tracks that are very thick. There is leaves everywere.
Flange grease that got wet in the rain?
Probably sanding gel. Flange grease is black.
Nick
Sandite is usually sprayed under pressure onto both rails… it’s basically sand mixed with glue…
I misread your post originally as saying the sandite caused problems… re-read it…
The slurry produced by rail wheels (in fact any wheels) crushing leaves acts as a lubricant and not only messes with the traction control system (indirectly) but will mess with any traction. That is in fact the problem… the wheels spin and modern computer “assisted” traction control kicks the system out to “protect” the motors and wheels… then it kicks back in…out…in…out… stuffed everything.
Now when you had a mark 1 human hand on the throttle (that knew what it was doing…) Drivers (engineers) could put in a known amount of slip (known by feel), shift the mess and get traction. Sometimes they would effectively work as an old push plough… run into the slippery bit, spin until they stalled, roll back out and go at it again. With time they’d get through… also leave the track cleared for the train behind.
Another solution (Sandite is a mixture not a solution)… was for the second trains loco to provide assistance in rear… train engine would slip and clean , assisting engine would push.
Where I started with EMUs (Electric Multiple Units) the first train booked out each morning was an old, HEAVY, SUB (Suburban) unit. TWo units in fact… the first one span like crazy and the second shoved it through. Everything was built so solid that they could do it… t
If it was sand it would be on both rails instead of one as previously noted…My thought is residue(slurry?) from a tank car that leaking on one side…I don’t think its leaves either because leaves will end up on both rails and not just one.