In a Vacuum Brake System, the Brakes are held off by a Vacuum in the Brake system created by an Exhauster/Ejector. When the Brakes are applied, the Vacuum is destroyed by letting air into the System. When the Brakes are released, the Vacuum is recreated by the Exhauster/Ejector.
Equipment Type
- Air
- Steam
- Air Single Pipe
- Air Twin Pipe
- Vacuum Single Pipe
- Vacuum Twin Pipe
- Electro-Pneumatic
- Electrically Controlled Pneumatic
- Air Piped
- Vacuum Piped
Max Force Percent of Vehicle Weight
By a happy coincidence, Brake Force in kN is usually roughly equivalent to the vehicle weight in Tons. So, for example, a 100 ton loco would be expected to have 100kN Maximum Brake Force. Altering this figure is the easiest way of adjusting the maximum brake force of the locomotive. For example, if your locomotive weighs 100 tons and you want a maximum Brake Force of 80kN, set this parameter to 80%.
Control
This is where the Loco Brake Cab Control characteristics are defined.
Handbrake
This is where the Handbrake is defined.
Proportional Brake
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Max Release Rate
The maximum rate that the Loco Brake can be released in Inches Hg/sec.
Max Application Rate
The maximum rate (non-emergency) that the loco brake can be applied in Inches Hg/sec.
Max Cylinder Pressure
The maximum pressure possible in the Brake Cylinder in Inches Hg/sec.
Pressure for Max Force
The pressure in the Brake Cylinder at which the most Brake Force is available in Inches Hg/sec.
Max System Pressure
The maximum pressure in the Vacuum Brake System in Inches Hg/sec when brakes are released.
In a Vacuum System, these figures are actually entered in what may seem to be the wrong way around because a Vacuum is measured in relation to Atmospheric Pressure. A perfect Vacuum is a 30 inches Hg (0psi). The vacuum used in most UK Vacuum systems is 21 inches Hg (10.3psi) and Atmospheric Pressure is 0 inches Hg (14.7psi). Max System Pressure would be set to 21 and Min System Pressure to 0 although in reality 21 represents a lower pressure in the brake pipe than 0.
Min System Pressure
The minimum pressure in the Vacuum Brake System in Inches Hg/sec when brakes are released.
In a Vacuum System, these figures are actually entered in what may seem to be the wrong way around because a Vacuum is measured in relation to Atmospheric Pressure. A perfect Vacuum is a 30 inches Hg (0psi). The vacuum used in most UK Vacuum systems is 21 inches Hg (10.3psi) and Atmospheric Pressure is 0 inches Hg (14.7psi). Max System Pressure would be set to 21 and Min System Pressure to 0 although in reality 21 represents a lower pressure in the brake pipe than 0.
