I was wondering if someone could explain the difference between the 24RL air brake system in use on the early diesels and the 26L in use today?
Phil
I may be wrong but ill give it a try. I work with the 26l all the time. If i am not mistaken i believe that the 24was not a self lapping brake system. the 26l is totally self lapping. .
Let me see if I can remember the positions. Far left was RELEASE; next RUN; then FIRST SERVICE; LAP; SERVICE, and lastly, EMERGENCY. You normally were in Run if the brakes were off. There was a cut-out **** if you didn’t want to use First Service.[if cut in, place handle in First Service; when air stops blowing, place in Lap. It would be about 6/8psi reduction.] To make an application, you’d go from Run to service and measure out the reduction you wanted. Then put the handle in Lap. Some early brake stands had a cut-out **** for pressure maintaining, but if cut in, the reduction would stay as on 26L. To release, simply to back to Run. The 24RL had a selector **** for Run. In one spot, Run placed equalizing reservoir air in train line. [yeah, big whup!] But in the other position, Run placed MAIN RESERVOIR air in the train line. Back in the days of AB valves, you could get a quick, clean release with Run. That is, if the hoghead knew what he was doing; and the old heads who learned their trade on steam knew what they were doing! In unskilled hands, Run would overcharge the brakeline and tie up their railroad. On B&O, at least, that selector **** was blanked off in later years…Eq. Res. ONLY. Hope this is of some help, ungern.
Oh, I forgot…the 26L. Simple, really. Left to right: RELEASE; MINIMUM REDUCTION; SERVICE [OR APPLICATON ZONE]; FULL SERVICE; SUPPRESSION; HANDLE OFF; EMERGENCY. And as Wabash said, there is no lap position; place the handle where you want it, and when the blow stops, leave it there. [unless you wind up taking more] Then when you’re done with it, back to Release. Unlike the 24RL above, this Release functions more like 24RL RUN.
I dug this out, as I didn’t feel like explaining all of this again…
Oh Skeets - I love it when you talk this way! I just wish I had an inkling as to what you just said! I am not even sure what the topic is! Think a nap is in order.
Mook
It’s big-time railroad talk, girlie…;0)
I was wondering if someone could explain the difference between the 24RL air brake system in use on the early diesels and the 26L in use today?
Phil
I may be wrong but ill give it a try. I work with the 26l all the time. If i am not mistaken i believe that the 24was not a self lapping brake system. the 26l is totally self lapping. .
Let me see if I can remember the positions. Far left was RELEASE; next RUN; then FIRST SERVICE; LAP; SERVICE, and lastly, EMERGENCY. You normally were in Run if the brakes were off. There was a cut-out **** if you didn’t want to use First Service.[if cut in, place handle in First Service; when air stops blowing, place in Lap. It would be about 6/8psi reduction.] To make an application, you’d go from Run to service and measure out the reduction you wanted. Then put the handle in Lap. Some early brake stands had a cut-out **** for pressure maintaining, but if cut in, the reduction would stay as on 26L. To release, simply to back to Run. The 24RL had a selector **** for Run. In one spot, Run placed equalizing reservoir air in train line. [yeah, big whup!] But in the other position, Run placed MAIN RESERVOIR air in the train line. Back in the days of AB valves, you could get a quick, clean release with Run. That is, if the hoghead knew what he was doing; and the old heads who learned their trade on steam knew what they were doing! In unskilled hands, Run would overcharge the brakeline and tie up their railroad. On B&O, at least, that selector **** was blanked off in later years…Eq. Res. ONLY. Hope this is of some help, ungern.
Oh, I forgot…the 26L. Simple, really. Left to right: RELEASE; MINIMUM REDUCTION; SERVICE [OR APPLICATON ZONE]; FULL SERVICE; SUPPRESSION; HANDLE OFF; EMERGENCY. And as Wabash said, there is no lap position; place the handle where you want it, and when the blow stops, leave it there. [unless you wind up taking more] Then when you’re done with it, back to Release. Unlike the 24RL above, this Release functions more like 24RL RUN.
I dug this out, as I didn’t feel like explaining all of this again…
Oh Skeets - I love it when you talk this way! I just wish I had an inkling as to what you just said! I am not even sure what the topic is! Think a nap is in order.
Mook
It’s big-time railroad talk, girlie…;0)