Train Inspection Flashcards
“two pack” configuration
Wagons where 2 hoppers are connected in the middle by a solid drawbar
Benefits of Two pack configuration
saves on weight and additional braking gear by sharing the braking of both wagons through one triple valve and associated equipment
“Monocoque” configuration
wagons where the structural strength of the wagon is maintained by the overall wagon shape and unlike conventional wagons they do not have a solid underframe to support the wagon
Conventional Wagon
Consisting of a central load bearing frame, or two side frames, and a sill at each end.
The sill carries
a coupler and draft gear by which vehicles are couples together to form a train
Irrespective of the type of vehicle, items such as the following are fixed to the vehicle frame or body
Access ladders, steps, handrails, handbrakes, platforms
Bogies
The assemblies which carry the 4 wheels and 2 axles, which pivots beneath each end of the vehicle and on which the vehicle is carried
Three-piece bogies
consist of a central bolster, on which the from of the vehicle sits, and which separate and support the two side frames
Bolter
Rides on the springs in the side frame, providing the vehicle with its suspension
The side frames
ride on and separate the wheel and axle sets and maintains the geometry of the bogie
Underframe
the load-bearing structure that carries the majority of the weight, and draft forces on the vehicle
The underframe consists of
either a central spine or two side frames
Benefits of Monocoque construction
all of the draft forces and all of the weight of the vehicle is carried by the external skin. Often used on passenger cars to reduce weight and cost
End sill
the cross member that forms the ends of each vehicle. In conventional vehicles, there are two (one at each end)
The end sill carries important equipment, including
couplers, end steps, handrails, ladders, handbrakes, end cocks and air hoses
Draft gear
designed to absorb the draft and buff forces inflicted on the vehicle and transmit these forces to the vehicle, enabling it to be moved
Draft forces
Those which are inflicted to haul the vehicle in the direction of the leading coupler. Commonly known as lifting or stretching of the train.
Buff Forces
those that are inflicted to push the vehicle away from the knuckle at which the force is inflicted. These are referred to as “running in or bunching of the train”
Conventional Draft Gear Consists of
a draft pocket, a draft package, a draft yoke, a coupler assembly
Draft pocket
a reinforced fabricated box, within, and at the ends of the central frame into which the rest of the draft gear is installed
Draft package
absorbs many of the shocks inflicted on the vehicle, and usually consists of an assembly of rubber pads bonded to steel plates arranged like a multi-layered sandwich. Providing a certain amount of give to absorb most longitudinal shocks
Brackets in the draft pocket
restrain the ends of the draft package, fore and aft.
How are draft forces transmitted to the vehicle to move it?
as forces are transmitted to the draft package, it is forced forward/backwards but is unable to move due to the restraint provided by the brackets
Draft yoke
a cast steel loop that surrounds the draft package and transfers draft and buff forces from the couplet to the draft package. At the front, a large hardened steel pin allows the couplet to pivot from side to side
The coupler assembly consists of
the automatic coupler, its knuckle and pin, and knuckle locking mechanism, cast integral with a coupler shaft. Through the end of the coupler shaft, a large hardened pin links the coupler shaft with the draft yoke
Automatic couplers
devices fitted to both ends of all locomotives and vehicles so they can be coupled together
The “B” end of a vehicle is to be determined as follows
On two-packs, the hopper with the triple valve braking equipment on the inside end sill is designated the “B” end. The end with the Triple valve attached
Automatic Brake system
the Westinghouse system of air brake which one air pressure works against or in concert with another than will automatically apply if the pressure of compressed air in the controlling pipe is reduced by any cause
Auxillary Reservoir
a reservoir on each vehicle that contains a supply volume of compressed air, which is the source of air pressure used to fill the air brake cylinder and apply the brakes
The three functions the triple valve performs
CAR. Charges the brake pipe, Applies the brake, Releases the brake and causes the system to be recharged in readiness for another application
Brake pipe
connects the locomotive air brake equipment through the length of the train via flexible air brake hoses
A brake application is initiated by
making a reduction in brake pipe air pressure. The triple valve on each vehicle, which causes air to flow to the brake cylinders, detects this. The brake pistons in each brake cylinder act on rigging, and forces the brake blocks onto the wheels
The braking force produced is proportional to
the amount of the brake pipe pressure reduction made by the locomotive driver
The brakes are released by
admitting air from the loco’s main reservoir into the brake pipe. This is detected by the triple valve on each vehicle, which then causes air to discharge from the brake cylinders and release the brakes
At the same time the brakes are released
the auxiliary reservoirs are recharged with air from the brake pipe
A rupture of the brake pipe due to train parting or other incidents causes
an escape of air pressure from the brake pipe resulting in an immediate application of the brakes throughout the train
Even the simplest of air braked vehicles carry the following equipment
A brake pipe, end cocks, a branch pipe isolating Cock, a triple valve, an auxiliary reservoir, a release valve, a brake cylinder
Other air brake refinements that can be found
equipment to compensate for light/heavy loads, equipment to help maintain braking control of long downgrades, equipment to hasten the application and release of the brake
The charge position for brake operation
When the triple valve responds to an increase in brake pipe pressure by connecting the brake cylinder to brake exhaust and the brake pipe to the Auxiliary reservoir
The application position for brake operation
The triple valve has responded to a decrease in Brake pipe pressure by connecting the Auxiliary reservoir to the brake cylinder. The brake exhaust and the brake pipe to the auxiliary reservoir are closed off
The Release Position for Brake operation
the brake pipe has been recharged to 500kPa. The triple valve has responded to the increase in brake pipe pressure by connecting the brake cylinder to brake exhaust, and the brake pipe to the auxiliary reservoir
Load Compensating equipment
Equipment provided to better match the available braking effort to the mass of the vehicle. As the mass is increased, the available brake cylinder pressure, and thus braking power, is increased
Benefits of load compensating equipment
Allows the brake cylinder pressure to be maintained at a lower level when the wagon is empty, that provides sufficient braking power for the empty vehicle without the danger of the wheels being locked up under brakes
Brake Cylinders
can be found in different positions but they are all used to apply the brakes
When the brake piston is extended
it applies the brake by applying the brake block onto the wheel
The basic components of most handbrakes
Wheel, chain, ratchet, release lever, locking pawl, Housing
Process to apply handbrake
Wind in required direction, ensure locking mechanism engages, ensure chain does not snag or foul, check piston has been applied, check blocks are applied to the wheels, apply with air before using handbrake whenever possible
Process to release handbrake
lift release lever, ensure body is away from moving parts, On occasion AAR types may require winding a 1/4 turn in the opposite direction to release tension before operating release lever, check chain is fully released and not snagged (smiley face), check piston has retracted, ensure brake blocks are released off the wheels