User Guide

MICROSOFT TRAIN SIMULATOR ENGINEER’S HANDBOOK
TRAIN BASICS | 24
SLOWING AND STOPPING THE TRAIN
It’s essential to understand braking in railroad operations, as there are many different types of brakes.
Both locomotives
and individual cars need them. These brakes are divided into two categories: train
brakes and locomotive brakes.
Modern air brake systems use electronics and brake computers to control the application and release of
brakes, but the basic system of brake pipes, air compressors, and air reservoirs is essentially the same.
Train brakes
The train brakes function on the entire train—they can be applied to all cars in the train, including the
locomotive. Since the early days of railroading, train brakes have been designed to work automatically
in case of emergency, such as when cars accidentally uncouple from the locomotive. You will often
see train brakes referred to as automatic brakes.
Air brakes: With the exception of the steam locomotive
Flying Scotsman , all of the locomotives in
Train Simulator use air brakes, which are also referred to as pneumatic brakes.
Traditional air brakes use changes in air pressure to control the application and release of the brakes.
The brake pipe holds air under pressure. To slow or stop the train, the engineer lowers the pressure
in the brake pipe, which signals the brakes in the cars to activate.
Schematic Diagram of Air Brake System
on Vehicle in Application Position
Schematic Diagram of Air Brake System
on Vehicle in Release Position
Auxiliary Reservoir Air - Reducing to fill Brake Cylinder
Brake Pipe Air - Reducing to Apply Brake
Brake Cylinder Air - Increasing to Apply Brake
1
2
3
4
5
6
1 Equalizing Reservoir
2 Driver’s Brake Valve
3 Main Reservoir
4 Compressor
5 Brake Pipe
6 Auxiliary Reservoir
7 Triple Valve
8 Wheel
9 Brake Block
10 Brake Cylinder
8
9
10
Brake Pipe Air - increasing in pressure to recharge
Auxiliary Reservoir and release brakes.
Brake Cylinder Air - reducing in pressure to
release brakes
7