Meaning of sand drag | Babel Free

Definitions

A pile of sand or earth at the end of a siding or bay platform, intended to stop trains that overrun or pass through trap points set for a siding.

UK

Examples

“Sand drags are usually laid in as an extension of trap⟳ sidings or of lines from catch-points. The rails are boxed in for some distance on either side, and the box is filled with sand, or, preferably, coarse gravel, the intention being, as the name⟳ implies, that the sand will act as a drag⟳, and help⟳ bring⟳ the runaway train⟳ or vehicles to rest⟳ before they derail and cause serious damage⟳.”

“The brakes were applied immediately, but the engine ran into a sand drag⟳ at approximately 20 m.p.h., plunged down the embankment, and turned over on its side at the bottom.”

“Should any driver attempt⟳ to pass⟳ the Belmont starter signals at danger, he would find⟳ his train⟳ in the sand drag⟳.”

CEFR level