100k for help with Rail Road sand! (in Contests)

First one who can give me the best site to read more on the mechanics behind railroad sand wins. Anything else that is posted that is useful I'll give a small prize too, total not exceeding another 50k.

I'm too tired and lazy to find it out myself. Came up tonight while talking to my gf, and wanted to know more about it because I never heard of it before.

here is a link that I googled that actually had it as a product:

http://www.fairmountminerals.com/interior.asp?page=Traction%20Sands%20for%20Railroads&category=markets&level1=Industrial

Cyclonaire sanding systems:
http://www.traincare.com/cyclonaire/cyclonaire.asp

Locomotive Sanding Systems in general (types, etc.):
http://www.macton.com/rail_equipment/locomotive-sanding.htm

both those sites are similar to what I posted, but does it say why sand is used and what the idea behind the sand and how it is manufactured gives it the special purpose it is used for?

Well, for the basic idea:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/diesel-locomotive3.htm

And then you can apply the reasoning behind:
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4671633_sand-provide-traction-ice.html

I guess...

Trains run on sand?

ya go figure... JSC, that's good enough for me. Thanks for that, I appreciate it.

kevlar (Pack Mule Service) 141.158.75.233 JSCarnage (Protected Monk) $100000 -- ty! 3:40 AM EDT

it was told to me that the sand helps drastically in assisting trains climb increased elevations... I had never heard of it and understand the sand on ice concept...with rubber...bout would have never thunk it with metal on metal.

I have to admit I didn't know either, and I still find it somewhat strange.
Thx for the reward :-)