TM 55-2210-224-12
2-9. OPERATION OF BRAKE SYSTEM (cont)
c. Independent Brake Valve.
(1)
The independent brake valve provides
control of the locomotive brake cylinder
pressure independent of the train
brakes. The brake valve handle has
two positions; RELEASE position at the
extreme left end of the quadrant and
FULL APPLICATION position at the
extreme right end of the quadrant.
From
RELEASE
to
FULL
APPLICATION
position
is
an
application zone or sector and the
further the handle is moved to the right
into this sector, the greater will be the
application
of
brakes
until
a
full
application is obtained at the extreme
right end of handle movement.
(2)
Depression of the independent brake valve handle whenever the handle is in RELEASE position
will cause the release of any brake cylinder pressure existing on the locomotive.
(3)
Depression of the independent brake valve handle with it somewhere in the application zone will
release the brake cylinder pressure only to the value corresponding to the position of the handle
in the application zone.
d. Emergency Brake Valve.
(1)
The emergency brake valve is located
near the fireman's position. It is
installed at the end of a branch pipe
from the brake pipe. It provides a
means
of
obtaining
an
automatic
emergency brake application from a
point other than the brake valve.
(2)
The emergency brake valve should be
used only in case of actual danger, and
then should be left open until the train
stops. After the operating lever has
been pulled, it must be manually reset
before brake pipe can be charged.
2-26
