Sandite
Encyclopedia
Sandite is a substance
used on railways in the UK
, Ireland
and the Netherlands to combat leaves on the line
, 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.
and Wales
black on yellow lineside markers were installed:
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.
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.
Chemical substance
In chemistry, a chemical substance is a form of matter that has constant chemical composition and characteristic properties. It cannot be separated into components by physical separation methods, i.e. without breaking chemical bonds. They can be solids, liquids or gases.Chemical substances are...
used on railways in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and the Netherlands to combat leaves on the line
Slippery rail
Slippery rail is a condition of railways caused by fallen moist leaves that lie on and cling to the top surface of the rails of railway tracks. The condition results in significant loss of friction between train wheels and rails, and in extreme cases can render the track temporarily unusable...
, which can cause train
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
wheels to slip and become damaged with flat spots. Sandite consists of a mixture of sand
Sand
Sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles.The composition of sand is highly variable, depending on the local rock sources and conditions, but the most common constituent of sand in inland continental settings and non-tropical coastal...
, aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
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
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
conducted research, in 1976, to determine the suitability of Sandite for use as an adhesion improver.
Application
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. In order to assist the staff on the Sandite train in locating the sites concerned, in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
black on yellow lineside markers were installed:
- 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
Scottish Region of British Railways
The Scottish Region was one of the six regions created on British Railways and consisted of ex-London, Midland and Scottish Railway and ex-London and North Eastern Railway lines in Scotland...
, based on alternative white octagonal boards to denote the commencement and finish points, with no warning sign.
Equipment
Multiple units used for this have included:- British Rail Class 937British Rail Class 937The British Rail Class 937 was reserved for former AC electrical multiple units, converted for departmental use. Units were converted for various tasks, including application of sandite, and use as tractor units to tow other trains....
- British Rail Class 936British Rail Class 936The British Rail Class 936 was reserved for former electrical multiple units not from the South-East, converted for departmental use. Units were converted for various tasks, including application of sandite, and de-icing duties.Merseyrail Units...
- British Rail Class 951British Rail Class 951The British Rail Class 951 was reserved for former diesel-electric multiple units converted for departmental use. Units were converted for various tasks, including application of sandite, de-icing duties, and use as tractor units to tow other trains...
- British Rail Class 960British Rail Class 960The British Rail Class 960 was reserved for former diesel multiple units converted for departmental use, and former electrical multiple units rebuilt as test trains...
English Welsh & Scottish Railways and Weedfree Limited provide locos, drivers and equipment operators for the Autumn treatment circuit.
Direct Rail Services
Direct Rail Services
Direct Rail Services is a freight operating company created by British Nuclear Fuels Limited. The company started rail operations in 1995 using five heavily refurbished Class 20/3 diesel locomotives. Since then it has expanded greatly, and has acquired many more locomotives, most bought...
provide locomotives for loco-hauled stock.
See also
- Sandbox (railways)Sandbox (railways)A sandbox is a container on most locomotives and self propelled multiple units, or trams, that run on tramways and adhesion railways...
- Slippery railSlippery railSlippery rail is a condition of railways caused by fallen moist leaves that lie on and cling to the top surface of the rails of railway tracks. The condition results in significant loss of friction between train wheels and rails, and in extreme cases can render the track temporarily unusable...
- TribologyTribologyTribology is the science and engineering of interacting surfaces in relative motion. It includes the study and application of the principles of friction, lubrication and wear...
- Weedfree Limited & Leaf Fall Case Studie