Life After Air Brakes
Union Pacific train in Watsonville, Ca.
Click for larger image. Alexander Meredith.
After the invention of the air brake, many people started to ride trains. They were fun, enjoyable, and safe.
Today modern technology is an integral part of railroad technology, such as the Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brake.
"With conventional brakes, the delay from when the engineer starts a brake pipe reduction to when the brakes actually apply can range from five seconds to nearly a minute, depending on the temperature, length of train, state of charge, and any restrictions in the brake pipe. With an electronically controlled system, an [sic] wire extends the length of the train, and a signal to apply or release the brakes travels at the speed of light, rather than at the speed of changing air pressures." Al Krug, RailNews Magazine.
"We [railroad employees] use them [air brakes] to stop the train at it's destination whether it is for freight of passenger [service]." John Bourbin, Interview.
"The benefits of modern air brakes are that you do not get flat spots on the wheels and that you can control the air so that you will not burn out the brake shoes as badly as you did years ago.” John Bourbin, Interview.
"You can adjust the [air] brake cylinder pressure from the locomotive cab. You can control the reduction [of] air." John Bourbin, Interview.
Today modern technology is an integral part of railroad technology, such as the Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brake.
"With conventional brakes, the delay from when the engineer starts a brake pipe reduction to when the brakes actually apply can range from five seconds to nearly a minute, depending on the temperature, length of train, state of charge, and any restrictions in the brake pipe. With an electronically controlled system, an [sic] wire extends the length of the train, and a signal to apply or release the brakes travels at the speed of light, rather than at the speed of changing air pressures." Al Krug, RailNews Magazine.
"We [railroad employees] use them [air brakes] to stop the train at it's destination whether it is for freight of passenger [service]." John Bourbin, Interview.
"The benefits of modern air brakes are that you do not get flat spots on the wheels and that you can control the air so that you will not burn out the brake shoes as badly as you did years ago.” John Bourbin, Interview.
"You can adjust the [air] brake cylinder pressure from the locomotive cab. You can control the reduction [of] air." John Bourbin, Interview.