Air versus vacuum brakes

In the early part of the 20th century, many British railways employed vacuum brakes rather than the air brakes used. The main advantage of vacuum was that the vacuum can be created by a steam ejector with no moving parts (and which could be powered by the steam of a steam locomotive), whereas an air brake system requires a noisy and complicated compressor. However, air brakes can be made much more effective than vacuum brakes for a given size of brake cylinder. An air brake compressor is usually capable of generating a pressure of 90 psi (620 kPa) vs. only 15 psi (100 kPa) for vacuum. With a vacuum system, the maximum pressure differential is atmospheric pressure (14.7 psi or 101 kPa at sea level, less at altitude). An air brake system can use a much smaller brake cylinder than a vacuum system to generate the same braking force. The much higher effectiveness of air brakes and the demise of the steam locomotive have seen the air brake become ubiquitous. Efficiency of vacuum brakes depend on the surrounding atmosphere and may change from place to place whereas air brakes efficiency remain constant at all places Air brakes work off high pressure, and the air hoses at the ends of rolling stock are thin. On the other hand, vacuum brakes work off low pressure, and the hoses at the ends of rolling stock are thick. Air brakes at the outermost vehicles of a train are turned off using a tap. Vacuum brakes at the outermost vehicles of a train are sealed by plugs which are sucked into place.

AIR BRAKES Brake pipe and feed pipe (twin pipe system for coaching stock, single pipe system for goods stock). Passenger Emergency Alarm Signal Device Passenger emergency valve Hose coupling for brake pipe and feed pipe Auxiliary reservoir 100lts capacity Works on the compressed air i.e. the compressed air pushes the piston of the brake cylinder

VACUUM BRAKES train pipe single pipe

Alarm Chain Apparatus Clappet valve Hose coupling for train pipe

Vacuum reservoir 320lts capacity

Works on vacuum i.e. some air is introduced in the vacuum which is used to apply the brakes