Re: Air Brakes

J.B.Bane Wrote:
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>
> Also someone posted that automatic air was
> invented in the the early 1890's,

that would be me.

> it was much
> earlier like late 1870's. For all I know
> widespread adoption of automatic air might have
> been in the 1890's?

I don't know patent dates etc, but ISTR that there was a big importnat test of Automatic air (possibly an improved version of the triple valve?) on West Burlington Hill (Iowa) on the CB&Q in 1892 which sped its general acceptence.

OK, dug out a book. Straight Air 1868, Automatic air 1871. Burlington trials 1886, involved Westinghouse, Eames and several competng systems.
At that time Auto air brakes didn't exhaust from car valves, problems with long/heavy trains due to response times. 1892 date I recalled above might be the intro of the improved triple valves.

Hey, I got a mind like a steel trap - all rusty & full o' mice!

hank