A pneumatic device controlled from the locomotive cab that delivers a targeted spray of dry sand directly onto the rails ahead of the driving wheels. Engineers activate the sanders when starting heavy trains, climbing steep grades, or braking on wet track to prevent wheel slip. The system uses compressed air to force the grit out of the sandbox and through delivery pipes aimed exactly at the wheel-rail contact patch.
Heard on the job
Hit the sander before we hit that wet leaf patch or we'll lose our footing completely.