TM 55-203
indicated by the brake pipe gage with brake valve in lap
known to be in proper condition for service. Airhose,
position, the outgoing engineman must, on a signal to
handles of angle cocks, and cutout cocks must be in
apply brakes, make a service brake pipe reduction of 15
proper position. Careful examination must be made for
pounds to determine by the length and force of the
leaks. Necessary repairs must be made to reduce
brake pipe discharge whether there is open
leakage to a minimum. Before a train leaves an
communication throughout the brake pipe. Inspectors
originating terminal, it must be charged and tested as
will then note the amount of brake pipe leakage, which
prescribed by current rules, and where practical, should
must not exceed 5 pounds in 1 minute as indicated on
be kept charged until the road locomotive is coupled on.
the brake pipe gage. After this test, reduction must be
increased to 25 pounds. Inspectors will then examine
(2) When a train is charged and tested from
the train brakes to determine whether the brakes are
a yard test plant, either the locomotive brake valve
applied in a service application on each car. When this
should be used or a suitable testing device which
examination has been completed, the proper release
provides for the increase and reduction of brake pipe
signal must be given and each brake examined to see
pressure at the same or a slower rate than a locomotive
that it releases properly.
brake valve. The testing device should be connected,
when practicable, at the same point in the train at which
(6) When a train has not been charged and
the locomotive is to be attached.
tested from a yard test plant, it must be charged and
tested from the outgoing locomotive after the train has
(3) When it is known that the brake system
been completely assembled and the locomotive has
is charged to within 5 pounds of standard brake pipe
been coupled on After the brake system on a freight
pressure for freight trains, a 15-pound service brake
train has been charged to within 5 pounds of standard
pipe reduction must be made on a signal to apply brakes
brake pipe pressure as indicated by a gage at the rear of
Inspectors will note the amount of brake pipe leakage,
the train, the outgoing engineman, on a signal to apply
which must not exceed 5 pounds in 1 minute as
brakes, must lap the brake valve until the brake pipe
indicated by the brake pipe gage. After this test,
pressure settles. He must then make a 15 pound
reduction must be increased to 25 pounds. Inspectors
service reduction and determine by the length and force
will then examine the train brakes to determine whether
of the brake pipe discharge whether there is open
the brakes are applied in a service application on each
communication throughout the brake pipe. Inspectors
car, that piston travel is as prescribed, and that brake
will note the amount of brake pipe leakage, which must
rigging does not bind or foul The Inspectors must then
not exceed 5 pounds In 1 minute as indicated on the
give a signal for releasing
brake pipe gage After this test, the reduction must be
increased to 25 pounds. Inspectors will examine the
(4) A train, having been charged and tested
train brakes to determine that the brakes are applied to
(from a yard plant, must be kept charged until the road
each car, that piston travel is as prescribed, and that the
locomotive is coupled on. The engineman taking the
brake rigging does not bind or foul Inspectors must then
train out must, on a signal to apply brakes, make, a
give the engineman the proper signal for releasing the
service brake pipe reduction of 15 pounds and
brakes and see that all brakes release properly.
determine by the length and force of the brake pipe
discharge whether there is open communication
(7) When a test has been completed, the
throughout the brake pipe Inspectors will then note the
inspectors who made the test personally inform the
amount of brake pipe leakage, which must not exceed 5
engineman and the conductor of the test results and
pounds in 1 minute as indicated by the brake pipe gage
advise them of the number of cars in the train and the
with its brake valve in lap position. After this test, the
number having inoperative brakes. Before a train is
reduction must be increased to 25 pounds Inspectors
started from a terminal, the inspectors must know that
must note whether the head end brakes of the train
all handbrakes are released and that pressure-retaining
apply. They then signal for a release, noting whether
valve handles are in proper position.
the rear brakes release.
(8) The foreman of inspectors and the
(5) When a train has been charged and
inspectors are jointly responsible for the condition of the
tested from a yard plant and is not kept charged until the
airbrakes and train air equipment on cars leaving their
road locomotive is coupled on, brakes must be tested.
station.
After the brake system on a train has been charged to
within 5 pounds of standard pressure for that train, as
16-5
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