Sandite

Sandite is a substance used on railways in the UK, Ireland,^[1] US,^[2] the Netherlands^[3] and Belgium^[4] to combat leaves on the line,^[5] 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.^[5]

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.^[6] 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:^[7]

• 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, based on alternative white octagonal boards to denote the commencement and finish points, with no warning sign.

In The Netherlands, Sandite is applied by the first passenger trains of the day,^[8] with special maintenance trains available too.

Equipment

The Northern Ireland Railways sandite train; A converted 80 Class railcar, pictured here at Helen's Bay.

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.^[9]

Northern Ireland Railways currently uses a withdrawn NIR Class 80 multiple unit as their sandite train.

See also

• Adhesion railway
• Sandbox (railways)
• Slippery rail
• Tribology

References

External links

• Leaf Fall Campaign, Weedfree Ltd.