num_pages: 26
description: Reprint of three fascinating and highly readable articles on the history of Westinghouse air brakes which originally appeared in Trains Magazine. The first article explains the difficulties faced by early railroad brakes, how Westinghouse developed his air brake, the changes that proved necessary once it was used in the field on passenger trains, the further issues raised when it was decided to use it on freight trains, and the eventual development of the quick-action air brake. The second article details the challenges faced when wood replaced steel for freight cars allowing for a surge in car length and capacity that created new challenges for stopping the train. The third article describes how the Westinghouse Co. later solved the problem of stopping the even larger streamliners, unit trains and TOFC/hy-cube cars. Illustrated throughout with black and white photos and diagrams. The original articles were titled "The Importance of Being Able to Stop," "Load-to-Tare Ratios vs. Braking," and "Post-Zephyr Braking." 26 pages.
language: English
title: Westinghouse Air Brake Story
titlecomplete: Westinghouse Air Brake Story
ratings_count: 5
publisher: Kalmbach Publishing Company