Comments on: All we are is dust in the wind, dude.

Question: All we are is dust in the wind, dude.

strangecargo — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:50:45 -0800

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?

By: dirtylittlemonkey

dirtylittlemonkey — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:54:50 -0800

Helps traction when the rails are wet. Yes, they dump sand onto the rails.

By: the dief

the dief — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:09:00 -0800

Yup, that's it. I've seen this happen myself, and it actually works.

By: chrominance

chrominance — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:17:13 -0800

Toronto streetcars have a similar box. Apparently it's specifically used to help with braking.

By: chrominance

chrominance — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:18:28 -0800

should've posted this with the last comment!

By: Ookseer

Ookseer — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:24:30 -0800

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.

By: qvtqht

qvtqht — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:45:30 -0800

Slippery rail.