sand capacities

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

John:

>From what I have on hand, I wasn't able to determine the sand  capacity

for the A, J, Y, or S class engines.  In fact, the only reference I  found
was for an SP 4-8-4 --- 2,000 lbs.  This was noted to be sufficient to  haul
a train from San Francisco to L A or L A to El Paso.  The capacity  is
probably not a fair comparison for that needed  by a Class J.  SP's GS class
were oil-burners.
 
For diesels, however, capacities ranged from 18 cu. ft. for a GP-9 to 60  cu.
ft. for an SD-45.
 
At points where engines were serviced,  it became a ritual to top  off the
sand reservoir when the engines were coaled, fueled, watered, etc.   whether
it needed sand or not.  There are many variables that can affect
sand consumption - weather, local switching, grades, and whether or  not the
engineer is alert enough to cut off the sanding valve.  At non-service  
points where
locals tied up, there was usually a 55-gallon drum of sand and a  bucket.  It 
gets
tricky when an engine has been away from terminals for an extended period  of 
time.
 
To my knowledge, there is no meter or gauge that measures the sand  supply.
You either got it or you don't.  That's somewhat odd,  because an engine in
service without sand is seen in the eyes of the FRA as a "shut down"  defect.
The engine on ACL No. 517 had run out of sand.  The "federales"  stopped the
train before it made Rocky Mount and the crew died on the Hours of Service  
Law. 
                                                    Harry Bundy
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