Vacuum Brakes on Diesels

Hello

I am trying to find out a little more about the different vacuum brake controllers installed on diesel and electric locos c.1940 to c.1965 (i.e. before dual brakes replaced vacuum only).

I have been looking through the cab pictures on your site, which has proved a very valuable resource. I wonder if you can help me with any information to answer any of the following questions, or possible if a higher resolution image helps to answer any of the questions below.

The Westinghouse controller had a large stainless steel or chrome handle with a switch for exhauster speed up on top. Photographs on Dawlish Trains show this type fitted to SR Bullied/Raworth electric locos, GWR gas turbine loco, Classes 08, 15, 31, 40 (some of), 76, 77 and prototype Deltic. [I am guessing they were probably also used on the early LMS and SR diesels.]

Can anyone tell me the model number for this control or have a manual for this they are willing to share? I can see in the photographs positions marked RUNNING, LAP, <- BRAKE -> , EMERGENCY. What were the other (two?) positions? If there was a 'Release' position, how did that differ from 'Running', since exhauster speed up was the switch on top?

The controllers shown on the same website for classes 14, 17, 25, 27, 40 (some), 47, 55, 81, 82, Falcon and Lion appear to be Davies and Metcalfe controllers, model MVB 10 or similar.

Classes 15, 21, 22, 33, 71 and 73 have what looks to be the Davies and Metcalfe MVB 5.
The last three clearly show the separate exhauster speed up button, but I can not see this on the first three.

The controller shown for the class 24 is from Gresham & Craven. Should this also have a separate exhauster speed up button? The class 09 train brake appears similar. Are the brakes shown for the class 26 and 28 also similar? I have found some information about their vacuum EQ (Mk II) controller, but does anyone have information about other G&C vacuum brake controllers?

Vacuum brake valves on Warships and Hymeks look similar. Were these also a G&C brake? What model of brake was fitted to the Westerns originally?

Which variety was fitted to classes 44 / 45 / 46?

Have I missed thinking about any other variety?

Regards

Darwin

 

Some information from BR Operating Manuals of the time and my memory of working on them in the mid-1960s at Clarence Yard, Finsbury Park.

Class 24(?). Covering D5000 - D5175. D5000 - D5150 have D& M type MVB5 Driver's brake valve, D5151 - D5175 have D & M type MVB10.

Class 31. Covering D5520 - D5699, and D5800 - D5862 (excluding D5835). Driver's brake valve type not specified, but looks like as being by Westinghouse.

Class 46(?). Covering D138 - D193. D & M type MVB10.

Class 47. Covering D1520 - D1861 (excepting D1702 - D1706). The Driver's brake valve is by D & M, but the type is not specified.

In operation of the brake valve both D & M and Westinghouse version the handle is pushed forwards (anti-clockwise) to apply the brake, and pulled back (clockwise) as far as it will go for the 'Running' position. To speed up the Exhausters for 'Release', the handle is pushed down from the 'Running' position. Use of these brake valves apply the Vacuum brakes on the train, and via a Triple Valve also apply a proportional straight air application to the brake cylinders on the Locomotive. No separate button for Release that I can recall.

There were two exhausters electrically connected in a series/parallel arrangement. In the Running position they were connected in series and ran at half speed, for Release (on pushing the handle down) this connected them in parallel giving them full voltage and running speed.

 

Update. Have found the Operating Manual for Class 45(?) covering D11 - D137. From the artists drawing of the Driver's controls - not a photo unfortunately - it looks like a Westinghouse vacuum brake valve and is merely described as being of 'Type 111'.