Sandite

::"NOTE: The Sandites is also the name of the mascot for Charles Page High School in Sand Springs, Oklahoma"

Sandite is a substance used on railways in the United Kingdom to combat leaves on the line, [http://www.agrri.org.uk/BRR/docs/TM-TRIB-14%20_A_.pdf] 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).

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. [ [http://merlinsphotos.fotopic.net/c707459.html Rail Head Treatment Train @ Fotopic.Net ] ] In order to assist the staff on the Sandite train in locating the sites concerned, in England and Wales black on yellow lineside markers were installed: [ [http://www.railsigns.co.uk/sect23page1/sect23page1.html Railway Signs and Signals of Great Britain ] ]
*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 endFrom 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.

Equipment

Multiple units used for this have included:
* British Rail Class 937
* British Rail Class 936
* British Rail Class 951
* British Rail Class 960

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. [http://neil-gibson.fotopic.net/c1380406.html]

ee also

* Sandbox (railways)
* Slippery rail
* Tribology
* Weedfree Limited & [http://www.weedfree.net/casestudies/leaffall/ Leaf Fall Case Studie]

References