6.3. STRAIGHT AIRBRAKE
The simplest form of airbrake is the system that is activated by a charge of air from the locomotive
straight to the brake cylinder of each car. Air is compressed and held in the supply reservoir of the locomotive.
Through a control valve in the locomotive cab, compressed air is piped directly to the brake cylinder of each
car. The air pressure on the braking apparatus can be maintained, and by exhausting the air, the brakes can be
released. The air compressor on the locomotive must recharge the reservoir after each prolonged application of
the brakes. This system is now obsolete and is rarely used in the United States except on some electric railway
cars and automotive trucks and buses.
6.4. THE KC AIRBRAKE
Although the KC airbrake system, diagramed in figure 6.1, is no longer accepted in interchange service in
the United States, much of the Army-owned rolling stock for oversea use is equipped with it. The system has a
brake cylinder attached directly to an auxiliary reservoir under each car. A pipe running through the body of
this reservoir connects the brake cylinder to the KC triple valve that is connected to the opposite end of the
reservoir. Actually, the valve has three pipe connections: one to the brake cylinder, one to the auxiliary
reservoir, and one to the branch pipe. The valve operates in one of three ways in response to increases and
decreases of air pressure in the branch pipe: it charges the auxiliary reservoir by opening the line to it from the
branch pipe; applies the brakes by allowing the compressed air stored in the auxiliary reservoir to flow into the
brake cylinder; and releases the brakes by allowing the air in the brake cylinder to escape to the atmosphere.
Figure 6.1. The KC Airbrake System.
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