TM 55-203
normal position by a release spring coiled about the
piston rod inside the cylinder.
arrangement of spherical balls (usually hardened
alloy steel) and races to reduce rotational friction
Brake hanger. A link or bar by which brake beams and
between two parts which bear against each other.
attachments are suspended from a truck frame.
Bellcrank. Usually an L-shaped lever (but often with two
extremities connected so as to be of triangular form)
levers used as a part of the foundation brake gear.
for changing the direction of motion by 900, more or
Brake pipe. That section of the airbrake piping of a car
less.
which acts as a supply pipe for the reservoirs and, in
Belt rail. A part of a passenger car frame below the
the case of full pneumatic brakes, is also the sole
window on the outside, extending the whole length
connecting means by which the car brakes are
of the car body. Also applied in boxcar construction,
controlled by the engineman.
in the double-sheathed type, to the inside horizontal
Brake pipe air strainer. A strainer inserted in the brake
strip between the side-sill filler and the upper
pipe to prevent foreign matter from entering the
sideplate filler. Also called girth.
brake apparatus under the car. Brake shaft. An iron
Body (of a car). The main or principal part in or on
or steel shaft of a handbrake. It is usually vertical
which the load is placed. Body bolster bottom cover
(but sometimes horizontal), and it has a handwheel
plate. The bottom cover plate used on a bolster of
or a handle and ratchet on one end by means of
the built-up type. Also known as the body bolster
which a chain connected to the brake levers may be
compression bar and body bolster tie plate.
wound on the shaft and the brakes applied.
Brakeshoe The cast-iron shelf which is held against the
above the underframe. It is commonly subdivided
car wheel to produce braking action.
into side, end, and roof framing.
Brakeshoe key. A key or wedge by which a brakeshoe
Body post (freight car bodies). An upright piece which is
is fastened to a brakehead It is inserted through a
fastened to the sill and plate of a freight car. The
keyway in the face of the brakehead and the lug on
body posts and corner posts from the vertical
the birakeshoe.
members of the side frame of a car body.
Brake step. A small shelf or ledge on the end of a
Body side bearing. The upper one of the two side
freight car, near the top, on which the brakeman
bearings. It is attached to the body bolster.
stands when operating the handbrake.
Bolster. A crossmember on the underside of a car body
Branch pipe (airbrake). A pipe extending from the brake
and in the center of a truck through which the weight
pipe to the triple valve in the K-type brake, from the
is transmitted. The bolsters carry the body and
brake pipe to the AB valve in the AB equipment,
truck center plates, the body bolster resting on the
and from the brake pipe to the ABEL-1 valve when
truck bolster.
the AB automatic empty and load brake is used.
Bolster spring. The mainspring of a car, supporting the
Branch pipe strainer. A dirt collector used in the branch
truck bolster, on which the weight of the car body
pipe.
rests.
Branch pipe tee (airbrake). A tee used to connect the
Boxcar. A car having a roof and enclosed sides and
branch pipe to the brake or train pipe. Brine tank.
ends. Doors are placed in the sides and ends.
Sheet metal containers placed at the ends or
overhead in a refrigerator car for the purpose of
Brakes. The whole combination of parts by which the
carrying salt water and ice.
motion of a car or train is retarded or arrested.
of a car from one side to the other and support the
Brake beam. The immediate supporting structure for
roof.
the two brakeheads and the two brakeshoes acting
Center plate. One of pair of plates which fit one into the
upon any given pair of wheels.
other and which support the car body on the trucks,
allowing them to turn freely under the car. The
to the body frame or the truck frame of a car,
center pin or kingbolt passes through both, but does
containing a piston which is forced outward by the
not really serve
compressed air to apply the brakes. When the air
pressure is released, the piston is returned to its
Glossary 2
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