Brake testing.

I presume that a brake test to ensure continuity throughout the length of a train is still carried on loco hauled passenger trains with the Guard at the back of the train to ensure this. However, where freight trains are involved with no Guard at the back, is it not done, or is there a different method involved?

 

Someone has to walk to the rear of the train and open the brake valve to apply the brake and hear the air pressure escape. It's part of the procedures in a yard or terminal whenever a train is formed or the train formation altered.
It is a good few years since I have done such things, but for trains that have been stabled in sidings or on site for engineering works, checking the brakes applied using the loco brake valve was sufficient. It is probably different nowadays.

For further details search for RSSB Rule book GERM8000 section TW1 part 4.
Also the working manual for rail staff - white pages covers train preparation.
Enjoy your late evening reading.

Cheers, Neil

 

Just a warning to anyone not an experienced railwayman. When doing the test you need to hold the pipe firmly to stop it kicking back. If you just open the cock the air pipe will fly about like a demented snake

 

Thank you for mentioning that safety aspect.
I was taught to hold the end of the hose near the connector and open the brake cock slowly.

( But that was on Freightliner flats where the brake cocks were used every day and were reasonably smooth to operate.)

Cheers, Neil

 

I remember this happened to a guard at Arpley in the 1970s. It was a long time before he could walk again. It was an awful lot longer before he could perform certain other activities, though.