I presume that most modern day depots have sand for the locos delivered by 
road?
If it were rail delivered today, what would bring it in? A VGA with 25KG 
bagged sand sound plausible, I am guessing that modern depots use allot less 
Sand than in years gone by as today's computer controlled locos don't slip, 
as much!


 Are there any of the old sand/boiler houses still in use for storing the 
sand and keeping it dry or is there some sort of modern alternative, 
non-moisture absorbing sand!!!!!

Piemanlager wrote:


>  Are there any of the old sand/boiler houses still in use for storing the
> sand and keeping it dry or is there some sort of modern alternative,
> non-moisture absorbing sand!!!!!


About 25 years ago, 'grit fines' were used on AC electric locos, in
order to overcome problems caused by sand getting damp.

"Chippy"  wrote in message 
news:1126112657.431384.246300@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

> Piemanlager wrote:
>
>>  Are there any of the old sand/boiler houses still in use for storing the
>> sand and keeping it dry or is there some sort of modern alternative,
>> non-moisture absorbing sand!!!!!
>
> About 25 years ago, 'grit fines' were used on AC electric locos, in
> order to overcome problems caused by sand getting damp.
>


It comes in bags, like the ones at Wickes - 25kg I think.

At Canton it is left around on a pallet for staff to help themselves. The 
`sand' has very large grains and so does not stick like a building sand 
does.

Piemanlager  wrote:

>  Are there any of the old sand/boiler houses still in use for storing the
> sand and keeping it dry or is there some sort of modern alternative, 
> non-moisture absorbing sand!!!!! 


If you look at the NET sandhouse at this link:
<http://www.nettrams.net/PictureGallery/PGDriverView/DVPages/Depot08F.ht
m>
the sand is in bags as you suggested, which are presumably opened as
neccessary to fill the small hoppers mounted on the walls. Not much
opportunity to get damp. Maybe the bags have an added anti-caking agent
like magnesium carbonate, as kitchen salt does?