Brake Tests

8 limitations generally recognized, it being desirable to make improvements tor the service demanded in connection with our modern long trains of heavy cars running at high speeds and under the severe service require- ments of to-day. .The tests of this equipment are therefore to serve as a basis of comparison, and to indicate the capabilities of the equipment in use by us at the present time. , 18. The tests proposed for the Improved Air Brake Equipment (type UC), were intended to bring out the following:_ A.—That the electro-pneumatic brake equipment is adapted to meet any requirement, from that exemplified in the PM brake equip- ment, to the more exacting requirements of present conditions, with a degree of efficiency as high as the existing physical conditions will permit. B.—Considering cylinder pressure alone the equipment may be installed so as to produce any desired pressure, either in service or in emergency. In emergency, the braking power may be increased above that obtained in service by the same amount as at present, namely, 30 per cent, higher or up to as much as 100 per cent. more. In other words, the emergency braking power may be fixed at any desired amount between that which is determined upon for service applica- tions and a 100 per cent, increase above the maximum service braking power. S C. That the gain by the use of the electric control, in addition to the pneumatic, is the elimination of the time required for the pneu- matic transmission of the action of the brake from car to car and in addition, the elimination of shocks and uncomfortable surging which results from the non-simultaneous application of the brakes on all cars. From the above it is apparent that the gain from the electro- pneumatic control is not so much in the shortening of the stop, par- ticularly in emergency, as it is in the increased flexibility and cer- tainty of control of the brake and the insurance that modern long heavy trains can be handled smoothly and accurately. D.— The troubles and inconveniences due to brakes failing to release as well as the undesired application of brakes due to unavoidable fluctua- tions of brake pipe pressure when running over the road, are eliminated. E.—An adequate supply of air is available at all times. F. 1 he emergency braking power is available at any time, even after a full service application of the brake, since it is impossible for the engineman to use up the reserve emergency pressure without making an emergency application. . G. The equipment is adaptable to all weights of cars and to any esired percentage of braking power. Two brake equipments for