New York and Westinghouse Air Brakes details from bookadda

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905. Excerpt: ... Q. Why should not more than three brakes in succession be cut out? A. On account of the likelihood of quickaction not jumping the cut out brakes in the event of an emergency application, especially if the three successive brakes are close to the front end of the train. Q. On coupling to a train that is already charged with air, how should the angle cocks be opened? A. Always endeavor to form the habit of opening the angle cock nearest to the engine first after coupling the hose at any point in the train, and so guard against the danger of causing a quick action application of the brakes, which is very likely to result if the other angle cock is opened first, and air from the train allowed to rush into the empty hose to fill it. THE TRAIN AIR SIGNAL SYSTEM. Q. What is the train air signal used for? A. To enable the conductor or train crew to convey signals to the engineer from the interior of any car in the train. Q. Is the air signal system extensively used? A. Yes; it is used upon passenger trains upon all first-class railroads. Q. What means had a conductor at his disposal to signal the engineer before the air signal was invented? A. A bell rope was used which was attached to a gong in the cab of the engine and it extended to the rear end of the train. Q. What objections to the bell rope were there in passenger service? A. Many; perhaps the most aggravating to the train crew was that tramps would frequently cut the bell cord near the front end of the train. Q. Is the bell rope still in use? A. Yes; it is still in use in passenger service on some small roads and it is extensively used upon fast freight trains upon many good roads. Q. How does the conductor signal the engineer where the train air signal system is in use? A. Each car is equipped with a cor...