Re: Drain Daily

The "Drain Daily", from my understanding, should refer to the condensate that will build up during the building of air. The aiir that comes out of the compressor is hot and humid, and the air is pumped through the cooling pipes located near the main reservoirs. As the air cools, the moisture in the air will condensate causing it to fall from the air and gather at the bottom of the reservoir. The water need to be prevented from being admitted into the air system, as it can condensate in the brake pipe/brake valves creating blockages in the type of weather we're experiencing right now. On a modern diesel, such as one I operate on a daily basis, "spitter valves" will blow this condensate out at regular intervals keeping the tanks empty (you know, that "psssst" you hear). Obviously, on a steam locomotive, most are not equipped with this, and must be purged manually.

William Diehl... \M/( >.< )\M/
-Albuquerque
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