Re: Sand question

MD Ramsey Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Under normal operating conditions, the intent
> is to use the sand only when you need it.  The
> engineers know the railroad (and locomotives)
> pretty well and anticipate when and where to lay
> down some sand so as to minimize any wheel
> slip.  With heavy trains and poor rail conditions,
> more sand would be used as necessary.
>
> During my time, the less sand the better — es-
> pecially if you were the poor slob who dried and
> screened it in the sand house.


Even in "modern times" with pre-bagged dry sand, filing the domes is not an easy chore.  See [ngdiscussion.net] et seq, especially #2 and #3 on [ngdiscussion.net].