Re: Air Brakes

frankmartindell Wrote:
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> Can any one give a brief description of the
> straight air and westinhouse systems that I could
> give to someone with little RR knowledge.?

Well to start with, they're both by Westinghouse.

In a straight air system the only air tank is on the engine and when an application is made air is sent down the brake pipes to activate the brakes on each car. 2 big problems: Longer trains mean less braking per car or bigger air tanks/higher pressure on engine to get same results and if the air line breaks anywhere on the train, you have no brakes.

To solve these problems Westingjhouse came up with, in 1892 IIRC, the Triple valve system. In this there is a tank on each car wich is kept pumped up and an apllication *releases* air from the line causing the the triple valve on each car to change position and, using the air stored on-board, set the brakes.

hank