All we are is dust in the wind, dude.

July 9, 2008 2:50 PM

What's the deal with the box full of sand on the MUNI?

I stare at this box every day on my commute and I can't figure out what it's for. There's a vertical window where you can look inside and it appears to have sand inside. What's the point of the box?

posted by strangecargo to travel & transportation (6 comments total)

Helps traction when the rails are wet. Yes, they dump sand onto the rails.
posted by dirtylittlemonkey at 2:54 PM on July 9

Yup, that's it. I've seen this happen myself, and it actually works.
posted by the dief at 4:09 PM on July 9

Toronto streetcars have a similar box. Apparently it's specifically used to help with braking.
posted by chrominance at 4:17 PM on July 9

should've posted this with the last comment!
posted by chrominance at 4:18 PM on July 9

Yup. If you look along the rails on, say, Powell or California during damp weather you'll see sand all over them. Or if you don't you'll hear tires spinning out on them.
posted by Ookseer at 4:24 PM on July 9

Slippery rail.
posted by qvtqht at 10:45 PM on July 10