Traction/Train Sand

Sand is installed pneumatically or manually into the sand boxes or tanks in the locomotive.

In front of each wheel is a nozzle that uses compressed air to spray sand, from the sand boxes. The sand dramatically increases the traction of the drive wheels. The train has an electronic traction-control system that automatically starts the sand sprayers when the wheels slip or when the engineer makes an emergency stop. The most common grade used is a 0.8-1.5mm.

A range of other grades are also available.