I'm writing a book in which the railroad phrase "eight and sand" turns up. I have a general idea of what it's referring to, but have struck out determining precisely when it came into common parlance in that profession.
Any ideas?
Did it involve a train struggling up a hill or something? There are 8 notches on the throttle of a locomotive and there is a sand applicator to help the wheels grip the rail.
So, "Notch 8 and sand" could mean the engine is giving it all it's got.