[PRCo] Re: Brake Shoes

[Fred Schneider]

Regarding bus air brakes:  I stopped at Red Rose Transit Authority in  
Lancaster today and talked to their maintenance superintendent.    
Each axle has its own brake air reservoir and a relay valve,  
therefore brakes apply much more rapidly that those on any of the  
conventional streetcars.      He also started talking about truck  
tractors and trailers.   He asked me if I remembered when tractors  
had separate cab valves for the trailers and I allowed as how I did.   
Then he pointed out that the federal government, in their infinite  
wisdom, decided that wasn't safe, so the builders created a relay  
valve system that allows the trailer brakes to come on with a  
slightly higher pressure than the tractor brakes.   Same thing that  
was ruled illegal if done manually but now it is automatic!

On May 17, 2008, at 2:46 PM, Phillip Clark Campbell wrote:

> Hello;
>
>
> Many of the low-floor cars were re-worked for faster speeds.  Did  
> they get dynamic braking or did they rely solely on brake shoes?   
> How often would brake shoes need replacement?  Were there any  
> special safety features on these cars?
>
>
> Phil
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