Continuous brake

The main braking system of a train; it is operated by the driver who, by means of a cock for opening / closing a compressed air pipe, activates all the brakes of the train vehicles. The continuous brake therefore acts on all the wheels connected to the braking elements of the vehicle at the same time (with only the characteristic delay of the pneumatic line). The operation of the continuous brake is based on the principle of variation of the air pressure present in the general duct that connects the train, from the traction vehicle to the last vehicle, produced by a compressor present on the traction vehicle; the compressor supplies a main tank from which the same pipeline starts. The brake comes into action automatically if the continuity of the pipeline is interrupted (eg accidental splitting), with pressure drop. The continuous braking can be of two types: travelers type, that is immediate action, and goods type, with slow action. See also Flat-Mountain Device, Empty-Loaded Device