MULTIRAIL® SandPiper: the latest generation in train sand box filling systems

Sand plays a crucial role in bringing rail vehicles to a halt correctly and safely. Precision refilling of sand boxes or hoppers in trains and trams is an especially important factor to ensure the correct operation of a vehicle’s braking and assist with traction on tracks or in slippery conditions.

In many train and tram depots, each vehicle’s sand box is refilled manually, which can take a significant amount of time. The ideal solution is now available: the MULTIRAIL^® SandPiper sand filling system from Schenck Process. This is an automatic system that transfers sand from the storage silo to a train’s sand boxes. Using a hand held outlet nozzle, the system refills sand boxes via a pipe connected to a pressurised dispenser. A simple exhaust system ensures maximum dust reduction, and once an individual sand box is full, the MULTIRAIL^® SandPiper automatically stops delivery.

Depending on a specific customer’s application, static or mobile versions of the refilling system can be installed. While the mobile solution permits significant flexibility regarding the location of the refilling process, larger static units can refill several sand boxes simultaneously as sand is pneumatically conveyed to the train from a central silo.

The benefits of this Schenck Process solution are obvious: it changes time-consuming manual refilling to an automatic process, while also eliminating spillage, that can result from overfilling sand boxes. Additionally, it ensures a dust-free environment around the filling positions.

If you’d like to see a model of a MULTIRAIL^® SandPiper product, simply come to our Schenck Process stand at the InnoTrans 2012 trade fair from 18-21 September in Berlin. We’ll be located at Hall 22/Stand 116.