Lecture
to Sutton Coldfield MES
Railway Braking for Miniature Railways
Synopsis
The
subject of braking for miniature railways (typically 5 inch to 10 ¼” gauge)
has been hitherto poorly documented. This lecture is aimed at informing model
engineers and other interested parties of the basis and practice of air and
vacuum braking which can be applied to locomotives and rolling stock in these
miniature gauges.
Content
1
Introduction
2
The need and requirements for braking
3
Braking principles including fail safe operation
4
Energy absorption by friction
5
The creation of stored energy
6
A touch of full size practice
7
Vacuum and air brake systems for miniatures
8
Experience, do’s and don’ts
9
Practical Demonstrations
10
Questions (may also be asked during presentation)
The
talk will be in the form of a PowerPoint presentation including a practical
demonstration during the lecture featuring the basics of friction, live steam
ejectors, vacuum and air braking demonstration rigs.
Bob
Bramson
November 2007
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Speaker’s Details
Bob
Bramson
·
Chartered
Engineer and Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
·
Engaged with
Lloyds Register Rail as Principal Consultant with special responsibility for the
certification of rail vehicles that operate on Network Rail including preserved
steam locomotives and Heritage vehicles.
·
Model Engineering
since 1960, Member of the Harrow & Wembley Society of Model Engineers but
lives in Derbyshire.
·
First started
experimenting with vacuum brakes in 3 ½” gauge in 1966. Subsequently has
graduated to 5” and 7 ¼” gauge installations.
Bob
Bramson
November 2007