LIRR MOW

Does anyone know what the sand train does? I know the alcohol train sprays alcohol on the third rail. I used to hear it on the scanner usually in winter. I hear they don't use the alcohol train anymore. Thanks.

They still use the alcohol trains, infact if anything they use more of them . Last winter whenever snow or freezing rain was forcast they had the alcohol trains out in force to try to stay ahead of the ice and snow. The sand train sprays sandite on to the running rails prevent or reduce slip/slide and wheel spin.