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"Bridging the air" ??

January 15, 2001 02:30PM
Hello everyone,
First off, I just wanted to let everyone know that I love both the straight air and automatic brake systems. One can give a good ride with either. Yes, the straight air does take some getting used to(i.e. slower reaction in an application), but I feel it is a safe and suitable system for use out here in Durango. Please don't get me wrong, I love the 6ET valve. It really takes a good "feel" to be able to bring a train down using it. Sorry to all of the "modern" hoggers, but, how many "modern" engineers would even know what to do with a 6ET valve? The only ones I have seen still in mainline use are on vintage diesel switchers.
Back to the point at hand. While firing for Mike Nichols(retired SP, 3rd Gen. Engineer)last summer on a work train, he showed me the concept of "bridging the air". This only came into play when you had a leaky brake pipe. He learned it from the "old timers" while working for the SP. It involves making your reduction on the 6ET, then placing the handle between the lap and holding positions on the "bridge". On that work train we had a brake pipe that was losing about 2-lbs. per minute. It takes a little practice and a couple of tries to find the right spot on any one valve; but it worked great. It converted the 6ET into more or less a self-maintaining valve(while holding a set). The only drawback was that if you bumped the handle over to far on the "bridge", obviously you would release the brakes.
I was just wondering if any of you had ever tried or heard of that?
My $.02,
Rob
Subject Author Posted

Questions for Knoob & Ramsey

El Coke January 13, 2001 08:59AM

Re: Questions for Knoob & Ramsey

Mike Ramsey January 14, 2001 03:26PM

Re: Questions for Knoob & Ramsey

El Sapp January 14, 2001 07:41PM

Re: Questions for Knoob & Ramsey

Earl the road foreman January 15, 2001 07:30AM

Re: Questions for Knoob & Ramsey - 1 more point

Earl January 15, 2001 07:44AM

Re:Best of Both Worlds?

Oil Czar(Jerry Huck SVRy) January 15, 2001 11:54AM

Re:Best of Both Worlds?

Bruce R. Pier January 19, 2001 05:39PM

Re:Best of Both Worlds?

Oil Czar(Jerry Huck SVRy) January 20, 2001 04:30PM

Re:Best of Both Worlds?

Bruce R. Pier January 20, 2001 07:16PM

Question for Earl

Hoss January 15, 2001 07:59PM

Re: Question for Earl

Earl January 16, 2001 07:19AM

Re: Questions for Knoob & Ramsey

Mike Ramsey January 18, 2001 08:33PM

What I meant to say..

El Sapp January 18, 2001 11:29PM

Re: Questions for Knoob & Ramsey

Earl Knoob January 14, 2001 07:27PM

Thank you ,with another question .

El Coke January 14, 2001 09:39PM

Re: Thank you ,with another question .

Earl the air wizard January 15, 2001 07:36AM

Re: Earl the air wizard

Fred T January 15, 2001 09:30AM

Straight air

El "Slapioca" Coke January 15, 2001 11:22AM

"Bridging the air" ??

Rob Gram January 15, 2001 02:30PM

Re: "Bridging the air" ??

Earl Knoob January 15, 2001 04:50PM

Re: Straight air

Mike Ramsey January 18, 2001 09:41PM

Rust

Rust January 19, 2001 08:30AM

Re: Thank you ,with another question .

Les Clark January 15, 2001 06:41PM

Lapping and leaking

El"cannonball" Coke January 15, 2001 10:32PM

Re: Thank you ,with another question .

Earl the road foreman January 16, 2001 07:29AM

Re: Thank you ,with another question .

Les Clark January 16, 2001 11:13AM

Re: Thank you ,with another question .

Rick Steele January 16, 2001 05:22PM

Re: Mute Steele?

Fred T January 16, 2001 09:32PM

Re: Mute Steele?

Rick Steele January 17, 2001 07:51AM

Another twist

Ryan Scott January 17, 2001 04:53PM

Re: Another twist

Earl Knoob January 18, 2001 07:30AM



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