Up-to-date air-brake catechism; a complete study of the equipment manufactured by the Westinghouse Air Brake Company

Front matter

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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT.

NOTICE

Preface to Twenty-first Edition

The issuing of the present edition of this book, Up-todate Air-Brake Catechism with an appendix, shows that the book is filling the want it was designed to meet.

The changed conditions of service which now prevail, and which consist in longer trains, cars of heavier capacity and locomotives with a power and weight commensurate with their increased duties, has made imperative some radical changes in the air brake art. The original brake was designed with the idea in mind that the maximum length of train would be fifty cars, and the capacity of these cars 60,000 pounds. The usual capacity is now 100,000 pounds, the number of cars in a train is often over 100, and the hauling power of the locomotive has kept pace. The result of these changes has been that the apparatus which has been in use for so many years is not adequate to handle, with the desired efficiency, the long and heavy trains of to-day.

To meet these conditions the Westinghouse Air Brake Company has developed an engine and car equipment by the use of which even better results are obtained with the long and heavy trains than could be obtained with the older equipment and the shorter trains.

The appendix to this book has been written with a view of explaining the operation of this new equipment with which it will be necessary for railroad employees to become familiar to avail themselves of the many advantages which it makes possible.

The author wishes to take this opportunity to again thank the railroad public for their continued support which has been very gratifying to hirru

February, 1907. Robert H. Blackall.

Preface To Twelfth Edition

The success of previous editions of this book has led the author to add several new chapters to the present edition, and at the same time the work has been revised and corrected to date.

I desire to now express thanks for the many favorable letters received from students of the Air Brake.

ROBERT H. BLACKALL.

Preface

There is a law compelling railroad companies to have a sufficient number of cars to control trains equipped with air brakes by January i, 1900. In view of this, there is a vast army of railroad employees, especially engine and train crews and air-brake machinists, whose work demands a practical and thorough understanding of that subject.

There is no book published which gives a complete study of the air-brake equipment, including the latest devices and inventions used. It is to meet the demand for such a book that the present work is designed.

The book includes a complete discussion of all parts of the air-brake equipment, the troubles and peculiarities encountered, and a practical way to find and remedy them. It is written in the familiar style of the class-room, the method of question and answer being adopted, as in that way each point to be enforced may be more definitely and clearly brought out.

Train and engine crews will find special and practical assistance to their work under the subjects Train Handling and Train Inspection.

The aim of the author has been to make the subject matter of such a character as will be readily understood by beginners, and by progression under each topic, to cover also the more intricate work, which will make the book valuable to those advanced in the subject.

ROBERT H. BLACK ALL, Air-Brake Inspector, D. & H. C. Co.