N/S Heritage Engines Question

sounds like the chain for the locomotive hand brake the brake wheel should be right above it..cr john

thanks John,  your right, there is a big hand wheel there, but how does that chain work on a real engine.

The chain connects the hand wheel, down to the brakes of the drive wheels, to apply manually; or take off, the brakes.

http://www.ellconnational.com/Product40.php

Ralph

When ANY locomotive stands cold (or, for diesels and electrics, shut off), the air brake pressure descends to zero.  The same is true of standing cars. Brake shoes release their grip on the wheels. Hand brakes are applied to prevent runaways. These mechanical brakes stay on until a crewman releases them.

Sometimes the brake chain is enclosed in a pipe.

thanks guys, now I know what the chain is for and what it does.

And I guess thats why I don't see this chain on other engines like a SD70 etc because

the chain could be in a enclosed pipe.  Very interesting..

I might add its a detail sometimes left off on models...the chain on gp 38 gp 40 is under the cab over the truck you can visually see if its applied or not it is atttached to a ratchet type hand brake usually on the fireman side of the short hood..on a modern engine they are in back left side and very noticeable . thats why some you see and some you dont..CR john