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  2. train braking for steam locomotives

Re: train braking for steam locomotives

tom kline
 

James,

 

In addition to what Ken posted, an old steam hogger once told me about double-heading was the second engine did the most pulling while the lead locomotive controlled the speed using throttle, train brake and whistle signals to communicate with the second (trailing) locomotive.

 

Tom Kline

Houston, TX

 

 

 

 

From: RS-TALON@groups.io [mailto:RS-TALON@groups.io] On Behalf Of Kenneth Cotton
Sent: Monday, December 05, 2022 7:51 PM
To: c-n-r@groups.io; Railspot Railspot <rs-talon@groups.io>; James Robichaux <robichauxenterprises.jr@...>
Subject: Re: [Railspot] train braking for steam locomotives

 

The lead locomotive had control of the air brakes in steam operation. The engineer coupled to the train cut out his brake valve and when the lead locomotive made a set, the second engineer bailed off his brakes using the independent. 

 

On Monday, December 5, 2022 at 08:19:55 PM EST, James Robichaux <robichauxenterprises.jr@...> wrote:

 

 

 

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: James Robichaux <james.a.robichaux@...>
Date: Sun, Dec 4, 2022 at 12:42 PM
Subject: train braking for steam locomotives
To: <C-N-R@groups.io>, <RailroadsOfNorthAmerica@groups.io>

 

 

Since steam locomotives did not have what we know of as "m.u." capabilities, how did controlling the train brake on a train that had more than one locomotive on the head end work?

 

Did the engineer on the locomotive closest to the cars always control it?

 

 

Thanks.

 

 

James

 
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