Coals to Newcastle

Release

This position is used for charging the air brake system and to release the automatic brakes. The brake handle should be left in this position when running and no application is required. When in this position, the brake valve will maintain brake pipe pressure to the maximum setting of the brake regulating valve (i.e dependin upon the sytem typiucally 70 or 90 psi).

TrainBrakesControllerReleaseStart

Minimum Reduction

With the handle moved to this position, a 6-8 psi brake pipe reduction is made and minimum braking effort is obtained. This position is used to make initial applications to adjust train slack and set the brakes up for further heavier applications. As far as operation of the equipment is concerned, the brake valve should not be returned directly back to release from this position, since a release after such a light application can result in stuck brakes.

TrainBrakesControllerMinimalReductionStart

Full Service

Full braking effect applied - The farther the handle is moved into the service zone, from Minimum Reduction to Full Service, the greater will be the brake pipe pressure reduction (which is controlled by the equalizing reservoir). The handle is moved to such that it reduces the equalizing reservoir to the desired amount and then stopped. The valve will then "lap" itself stopping the reduction at that point. The brake pipe pressure will then reduce a like amount and the maintaining feature will then maintain that reduced pressure allowing air to flow into the brake pipe to compensate for leakage, if necessary. If a release is desired, the handle should be moved all the way to the left to release position.

TrainBrakesControllerFullServiceStart

Suppression

This position gives a full service application and suppresses a penalty application and recovers PC (power knockout) action, resulting from a penalty application. If the cause of the penalty has been corrected and a full service reduction has been made, the brakes can then be released without coming to a stop. This position will not suppress or recover an emergency application or recover PC action resulting from an emergency and no attempt should be made to use it for that purpose.

TrainBrakesControllerSuppressionStart

Handle Off

This is the position in which the handle must be placed on trailing units of a multiple-unit locomotive or on locomotives being towed 'dead' in a train. If the handle is placed in this position with the brake valve cut in, the brake pipe will reduce to zero at a service rate. As per air brake rules, a 20 lb. reduction should be made and brake valve cut out before moving handle to this position when conditioning units for trail.

TrainBrakesControllerNeutralHandleOffStart

Emergency

It is the position that can be used to make a 'desired' emergency brake application. This position must be used to reset either a 'desired' or 'undesired' brake application.

TrainBrakesControllerEmergencyStart

Release / Full Application

Between release and full application is the application zone. Movement of the handle from left to right causes increasing applications. Brake can be graduated off; that is, movement from right to left will give decreasing brake cylinder pressures.

EngineBrakesControllerFullQuickReleaseStart

Release

In this position feed valve air is supplied to brake pipe and will charge the brake pipe to the maximum setting of the feed valve. Brakes will release. The RELEASE position charges the brake pipe at the same rate as the RUNNING position.

TrainBrakesControllerReleaseStart

Running

In this position, the feed valve air is supplied to the brake pipe and will charge the brake pipe to the setting of the feed valve. The RUNNING position charges the brake pipe and is used for releasing the engine and train brakes. When the automatic brake is not being used, place the brake valve handle in this position.

TrainBrakesControllerRunningStart

First Service

In this position an intial minimum service reduction is made, and then reduction continues at a much slower rate. The service brake reduction is made in the SERVICE position and then the brake valve handle must be moved to the FIRST SERVICE position while the air is exhausting from the service exhaust port. Do not pause in the LAP position. The brake valve handle must not be moved from the FIRST SERVICE position to the RUNNING position or the LAP position then back to the FIRST SERVICE position. More than one service application can be made by moving the brake valve handle from the FIRST SERVICE position to the SERVICE position and then returned directly to the FIRST SERVICE position. The FIRST SERVICE function can be disabled if desired by the driver.

TrainBrakesControllerMinimalReductionStart

Lap

Brake pipe pressure will not be maintained against leakage when the brake valve handle is in this position. All operating ports are closed when in this position and the resulting brake pipe leakage will cause the engine and the train brakes to apply. This position is used primarily for:

• Recovery from penalty brake application
• Testing the amount of leakage in the brake pipe

TrainBrakesControllerGraduatedSelfLapLimitedStart

Service

This position allows the feed valve air supply to the brake pipe to be cut off. The equalizing reservoirs is exhausted to the atmosphere through the preliminary exhaust port, actuating the equalizing discharge valve to the exhaust brake pipe air with a corresponding amount (through the discharge valve and the rotary valve exhaust), at a service rate. In this position the equalizing reservoir pressure is reduced and brake pipe pressure reduced accordingly, at a service rate. This brake valve is not self-lapping in this position; that is, the reduction will not be limited by the valve. Equalizing reservoir pressure should be reduced the desired amount, and then handle should be moved to lap or pressure maintaining position, whichever is required.

TrainBrakesControllerContinuousServiceStart

Emergency

This position allows passages to be connected to provide a large, direct exhaust passage from the brake pipe to the atmosphere which produces an emergency rate of brake pipe reduction.

TrainBrakesControllerEmergencyStart

Locking

Brake disabled, uses train brake.

EngineBrakesControllerNeutralhandleOffStart

Release / Full Application

Between release and full application is the application zone. Movement of the handle from left to right causes increasing applications. Brake can be graduated off; that is, movement from right to left will give decreasing brake cylinder pressures.

EngineBrakesControllerFullQuickReleaseStart