BRITISH RAILWAYS DECISION ON BRAKES

After extensive research and practical trials the British Transport Commission adopted as standard the vacuum type of automatic brake. Although the time needed to couple up and to create the vacuum will mean that a made-up train will stand longer in the yard than with the present standard coupling for goods vehicles, this disadvantage is believed to be more than offset by the faster running time which will result from fitting throughout. The substitution, by new construction and conversion, of a fully-braked fleet of wagons will enable freight trains to run at maximum speeds of up to 60 mph. The higher average speeds of train movement will lead to reduction of about 2,000 locomotives and will enable the total wagon stock to be reduced.

• Corporate Authors:

  Temple Press Limited

  161-166 Fleet Street
  Longon EC4,   England 
• Publication Date: 1956-4-6

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 152-153
• Serial:
  • RAILWAY GAZETTE
  • Volume: 104

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Brakes; Freight trains; Railroad trains; Safety; Technology; Vacuum; Velocity
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Braking systems; Vacuum brakes
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00039953
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 4 1994 12:00AM