Diesel Train Brakes

[Cardinal51]

On the diesel trains I have been driving I encountered the following brakes:

- Hand Brake
- Train Brake
- Locomotive Brake
- Dynamic Brake

Is there a place you recommend where I can read a little bit about how these brakes work and how / when they should be used ?

[Hawk]

Try these links.

http://www.railway-technical.com/brake2.shtml

http://www.tarorigin.com/art/Jbentley/

[TrainMaster1]

The four types you mention generally are used as follows:

Hand Brakes are used on cars that are spotted/placed at an industry or siding or in the yard. In short, these are cars that are at rest and are not actively being moved in a train. This brakes holds the cars in place as they are generally not connected to an air supply to activate their train line or automatic brakes.

Automatic or train line brakes are the brakes that apply to the wheels on the cars in your train. Generally every one pound of air reduction in your train line pipe places 2.5x that amount of pressure against the wheels to stop that car. A minimum reduction is a 6 lb reduction which results in 15 lbs of pressure against the wheels. This is good to use when on a long downgrade in conjunction with your dynamic brakes. Generally you have 90 lbs in the reservoir on a freight train.

The Dynamic brakes basically turn the traction motors on a locomotive into gigantic resistors which creates drag on the wheels to slow the train. Dynamics only affect the wheels on the locos not the cars. Not every loco is equipped with dynamics though so you need to know that your loco has them before you attempt to place that type of loco on your train. The dynamics are controlled by power throttle. In older locos this follows the eight running notches so you get 12.5%, 25%, 37.5% as you notch them out. On a desk top controller you have a range of 0-100% (stayed up all night working that out). The higher the dynamic setting the more drag on the wheels.

Last is the Independent or Engine Brake. This only works on the locomotive and is generally used at lower speeds generally under the LCS (Lowest Continuous Speed) rating for the loco. Only time to use this above 8-10 mph, is in an emergency situation when you need every set of brakes you have. Many sim engineers make the mistake of reaching for the Independent or engine brakes first. That is a bad idea. Imagine riding a bike really fast downhill and jamming the front brakes on. You will soon be airborne and flying over the handle bars. Now imagine the weight behind your locos and know you know why your train is on the ground and you are looking to restart your activity.

Hope this helps.

Nick