🚀 go-pugleaf

From: Dan_Bower%RPI-MTS.Mailnet@MIT-MULTICS.ARPA

A few points:  I'd always heard them called "sand domes" when referring to
the supply of sand on a steam locomotive.  The sand dome was always placed
atop the boiler so the heat would keep the sand dry.  (Wet sand will not
flow, just like wet sugar.)  On diesel locomotives (and electrics, and
streetcars...) I've always heard the sand supply called a "sand box".
Most diesels have two or four sandboxes (one for each truck or one for each
side of each truck) so as to minimize the length of pipes needed to carry the
sand.  The shorter they are, the steeper they could be, minimizing the chance
of clogging.

Also, for many years now, locomotives have had pneumatic sanders.  With these,
air pressure actually blows the sand between the wheel and rail.  Railroads
found out long ago that a hefty crosswind would blow the sand off the rail
before the wheel would run over it.

PS.  I have heard the term "sand tower" used to refer to an overhead supply
of sand at a locomotive servicing track.  Typically sand towers are found
near fuel racks (for diesels) or coal tipples (for steam).  Some railroads
also had combination coal and sand tipples.