Railway Technical

RAILWAY SYSTEMS, TECHNOLOGIES AND
OPERATIONS ACROSS THE WORLD
RAILWAY TECHNICAL

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CONTENTS
DESIGN DETAILS OF RAILWAYS, RAILROADS AND METROS.......................................15
1.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 15
1.2. Deadman .................................................................................................................................................... 15
1.3. Couplers ..................................................................................................................................................... 15
1.4. Fully Automatic Couplers ........................................................................................................................... 20
1.5. Doors .......................................................................................................................................................... 23
1.6. Air Conditioning ......................................................................................................................................... 25
1.7. Escalator Steps ........................................................................................................................................... 26
1.8 Escalator Locations ...................................................................................................................................... 28
1.9. Suicide Pits ................................................................................................................................................. 28
ROLLING STOCK AND EQUIPMENTS ........................................................................30
2.1. AUXILIARY SYSTEMS ON ROLLING STOCK .................................................................................................. 30
2.1.1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 30
2.1.2. On-Board Services ............................................................................................................................... 30
2.1.3. Air Equipment ..................................................................................................................................... 31
2.1.4. The Compressor .................................................................................................................................. 31
2.1.5 The Pump ............................................................................................................................................. 31
2.1.6. Drives .................................................................................................................................................. 32
2.1.7. Cooling ................................................................................................................................................ 32
2.1.8. Drying .................................................................................................................................................. 32
2.1.9. Control................................................................................................................................................. 32
2.1.10. Synchronisation ................................................................................................................................. 32
2.1.11. Storage .............................................................................................................................................. 33
2.1.12. Distribution ....................................................................................................................................... 33
2.1.13. Angle Cocks ....................................................................................................................................... 34
2.1.14. Automatic Couplers ........................................................................................................................... 34
2.1.15. Air Operated Equipment ................................................................................................................... 34
2.1.16. Traction Equipment ........................................................................................................................... 35
2.1.17. Doors ................................................................................................................................................. 35

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2.1.18. Air Suspension ................................................................................................................................... 35
2.1.19. Driver's Brake Control ....................................................................................................................... 35
2.1.20. Pantograph Compressor ................................................................................................................... 35
2.2. ELECTRICAL AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT .......................................................................................................... 37
2.2.1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 37
2.2.2. On-Board Services ............................................................................................................................... 37
2.2.3. High Voltage and Low Voltage Systems .............................................................................................. 38
2.2.4. Converting HV to LV ............................................................................................................................ 38
2.2.5. Development ....................................................................................................................................... 38
2.2.6. Motor Generators ............................................................................................................................... 39
2.2.7. Motor Alternators ............................................................................................................................... 40
2.2.8. Electronic Auxiliaries ........................................................................................................................... 41
2.2.9. Gaps .................................................................................................................................................... 42
2.3. BOGIE PARTS & DESCRIPTION .................................................................................................................... 44
2.3.1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 44
2.4. WHEELS AND BOGIES ................................................................................................................................. 47
2.4.1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 47
2.4.2. The Wheel on the Rail ......................................................................................................................... 47
2.4.3. Bogies (Trucks) .................................................................................................................................... 49
2.4.4. Steerable Bogies .................................................................................................................................. 49
2.5. VEHICLE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS ................................................................................................................. 51
2.5.1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 51
2.5.2. Development ....................................................................................................................................... 51
2.5.3. Plate Frame Bogie Primary Suspension ............................................................................................... 52
2.5.4. Plate Frame Bogie Secondary Suspension .......................................................................................... 53
2.5.5. Cast Steel Bogies ................................................................................................................................. 54
2.5.6. Equaliser Bar Suspension .................................................................................................................... 56
2.5.7. Rubber Suspension .............................................................................................................................. 57
2.5.8. Air Suspension ..................................................................................................................................... 58
2.6. PBL 90 ELECTRO-PNEUMATIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM ........................................................................... 60

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2.6.1. Background ......................................................................................................................................... 60
2.6.2. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 60
2.6.3. The Parts of the Brake Control Panel .................................................................................................. 60
2.6.4. Set-up .................................................................................................................................................. 63
2.6.5. Set-up Complete ................................................................................................................................. 63
2.6.6. Release ................................................................................................................................................ 64
2.6.7. Running ............................................................................................................................................... 65
2.6.8. Application .......................................................................................................................................... 66
2.6.9. Maintaining a Constant Brake ............................................................................................................. 67
2.6.10. Partial or Full Release ........................................................................................................................ 67
2.6.11. Electro-Pneumatic Assistance ........................................................................................................... 68
2.7. AIR BRAKES ................................................................................................................................................. 69
2.7.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 69
2.7.3. Operation on Each Vehicle .................................................................................................................. 69
2.7.2. Basics ................................................................................................................................................... 69
2.7.3. The Principal Parts of the Air Brake System ........................................................................................ 70
2.7.4 Operation On Each Vehicle .................................................................................................................. 74
2.8. ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED PNEUMATIC BRAKES .................................................................................... 80
2.8.1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 80
2.8.2. ECP Brakes - Background ..................................................................................................................... 80
2.8.3. Power Sources ..................................................................................................................................... 81
2.8.4. Manufacturers Systems ...................................................................................................................... 81
2.8.5. Benefits ............................................................................................................................................... 82
2.8.6. Developments ..................................................................................................................................... 82
2.8.7. ECP Record .......................................................................................................................................... 83
2.9. ELECTRO-PNEUMATIC BRAKES ................................................................................................................... 84
2.9.1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 84
2.9.2. Background ......................................................................................................................................... 84
2.9.3. Principles of the E-P Brake .................................................................................................................. 84
2.9.4. A Simple E-P Brake System .................................................................................................................. 85

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2.9.5. E-P Application .................................................................................................................................... 86
2.9.6. Brake Cylinder Pressure ...................................................................................................................... 86
2.9.7. E-P Brake Release ................................................................................................................................ 87
2.9.8. E-P Control .......................................................................................................................................... 87
2.9.9. E-P Variations ...................................................................................................................................... 88
2.9.10. Self Lapping Brakes ........................................................................................................................... 88
2.9.11. Retardation Controller ...................................................................................................................... 89
2.9.12. Variable Load Control ........................................................................................................................ 90
2.9.13. P-Wire Control ................................................................................................................................... 91
2.9.14. PBL90 System .................................................................................................................................... 91
2.10. VACUUM BRAKES ..................................................................................................................................... 92
2.10.1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 92
2.10.2. Basics ................................................................................................................................................. 92
2.10.3. Principal Parts of the Vacuum Brake System .................................................................................... 93
2.10.4.Operation on Each Vehicle ................................................................................................................. 96
2.10.5. Additional Features of the Vacuum Brake ........................................................................................ 98
2.10.6. Other Vacuum Operated Equipment .............................................................................................. 100
2.10.7. Vacuum Brakes on Steam Locomotives .......................................................................................... 100
2.10.8. Comment ......................................................................................................................................... 101
2.11. PASSENGER COACH PARTS ..................................................................................................................... 102
2.12. ELECTRONIC POWER FOR TRAINS .......................................................................................................... 103
2.12.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 103
2.12.2. AC and DC Differences .................................................................................................................... 103
2.12.3. AC Locomotives with DC Drives ...................................................................................................... 104
2.12.4. The Diode ........................................................................................................................................ 105
2.12.5. The Thyristor ................................................................................................................................... 105
2.12.6. SEPEX ............................................................................................................................................... 106
2.12.7. DC Choppers .................................................................................................................................... 108
2.12.8. Dynamic Braking.............................................................................................................................. 109
2.12.9. The GTO Thyristor ........................................................................................................................... 109