Wonderment::: what is electric voltage used in engine for lights and circuits? What is service Air Pressure for Brakes and systems? What is cutoff air pressure to energize EMERGENCY braking? Does Railroad use “Spring Brakes” to hold train in place if air drops?Or if railcar is stopped on tracks? Is there a “light code” for running lights ? 1 headlight, 2 lower side lights , sometimes flashing, sometimes steady. Or just headlight ? What is considered as “range” of the air system monitor at rear of train?
I can answer some of the brake part of this question. No, they don’t use spring brakes. The basic system in use for over 100 years is based on each car having its own brake system and resevior. A device called a triple valve controls the system so pressure in the brake line (part that runs from car to car) has to be up before the brakes can be released. A reduction in brake line pressure will start to apply the brakes, and loss of line pressure (emergency brake setting, cars separating and pulling hoses apart, etc) will lock the brakes on the entire train. (note: this is a VERY simplified description of the modern railroad brake system)
Yes, there are rules reguarding the lights. Ditch lights are now required. Some flash some don’t depending on the purchaseing railroads specifications.
The EOT monitors the trainline air pressure, whatever that may be (70-90lbs for freight depending on the individual railroad rules). Two way EOTs can also put the train into emergency brakeing from the rear in case there is a pipe blockage like a closed anglecock (cause of a bad derailment in Cajon pass a few years back.)
1 - Voltage varies with device. 28v/32v/64v are or have been used. There are auxillary generators that supply the needed voltages for each device. Traction motors use about 600 Volts(at least DC type) from the main generator.
2 - Trainline Air - about 90 lbs
3 - Emergency Application - usually a 20 lb reduction
4 - Springs are not used. The brakes apply when the trainline air presuure is dropped. Pumping up the system releases the brakes(each car has it’s own resevoir that is charged by the trainline). When charging the trainline, the control valve on each car releases the air in the brake and charges the car’s individual air resevoir. When a ‘reduction’ is made in the trainline, the control valve dumps air from the individual resevoir into the air brake and the brakes apply.
5 - Headlights should be on when the train is moving. Ditch lights are to be on when train is moving over 20 mph or over a grade crossing. Flashing ditch lights are not mandatory, but many railroads have them setup to flash when the air horm or bell is activated.
6 - Not sure about the ‘range’ of a FRED transmitter(I suspect about 3 miles might be a good minimum).
Assuming a service pressure of 90 lbs (the most common in freight service): A 20lb reduction (or 70 lbs in the brake pipe) is a Full Service Application. Emergency is when the brake pipe goes to 0 lbs, either through a break in the trainline or opening an emergency brake valve.
Auxiliary Lights (the most common form are Ditch Lights) are requied on the leading end of the leading engines that operate over crossings at grade at greater then 20 MPH. Auxiliary lights must be displayed when the engine is approaching and operating over public crossings at grade. But may be extinguished at other times. (NORAC 8th edition)
The range of an EOT is about 3 miles.
Equipment left standing is secured using a handbrake. A chain connected to either a ratcheting mechanism or a wheel, pulls on a series of levers, and applies the brakes, as the chain is taken up by the ratchet or wheel.
90 PSI is standard freight train air pressure, 100 PSI for passenger. About 26 lb reduction is Full Service. Past that is Suppression. Past that is the big hole, which dumps the air in the trainline. When the air leaves the brake pipe faster than a service rate, that is Emergency.
Chocks,chains and blocks are sometimes used to secure equipment, especially around a shop area when the handbrake is broken or disconnected for servicing purposes, or is not existant (steam engines).
Usually 74 volts to run the control circuits, headlights, starter, fuel pump, etc.