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Brake Test Switch - HST
- Thread starter diego1234
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Cherry_Picker
Established Member
It tests the brakes. 
(Sorry, open goals and everything. If it's anything like the switch we have on 67 & DVT rakes then you can switch it in to test you have brake continuity without letting the train move. It's especially important if you have just added to or removed coaches from the train.)
(Sorry, open goals and everything. If it's anything like the switch we have on 67 & DVT rakes then you can switch it in to test you have brake continuity without letting the train move. It's especially important if you have just added to or removed coaches from the train.)
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Cherry_Picker
Established Member
I'm not sure how the parking brake on a HST works, it might be spring loaded or it might be powered by air so I can't answer the question accurately.
As far as I'm aware the switch isolates the brake cylinders but keeps the pipe open which then allows the train crew or maintenance staff to create and destroy the brake to check whether there is continuity throughout the train. It's one of those things where I know how to perform the test but I'm not entirely sure what is happening underneath the hood, so to speak. I presume all air braked trains will work like this, but again I may be wrong.
As far as I'm aware the switch isolates the brake cylinders but keeps the pipe open which then allows the train crew or maintenance staff to create and destroy the brake to check whether there is continuity throughout the train. It's one of those things where I know how to perform the test but I'm not entirely sure what is happening underneath the hood, so to speak. I presume all air braked trains will work like this, but again I may be wrong.
No Fault Found
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That's pretty much it.
You can't create a brake pipe on a power car with the parking brake on so you won't be able to do the brake test.
If you turn the parking brake off and try and do the brake test then you'll roll away.
The brake test switch allows you to keep the parking brake on AND create a brake pipe at the same time.
Kneedown
Established Member
Thanks for your help, just one other question - if keying in (at either end) how would you tell if the person in the other end has got his key in? Would the DRA already be lit upon entering the cab? Or is there another way of telling?
I'm just learning this traction currently and making notes but have brain freeze!
Many Thanks
I'm just learning this traction currently and making notes but have brain freeze!
Many Thanks
No Fault Found
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- 7 Jan 2010
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Thanks for your help, just one other question - if keying in (at either end) how would you tell if the person in the other end has got his key in? Would the DRA already be lit upon entering the cab? Or is there another way of telling?
I'm just learning this traction currently and making notes but have brain freeze!
Many Thanks
No other way to tell. And the DRA will only be lit your end if it's pushed in (as well as the key in the other end). I must admit, i'm not sure what will happen if you key in with another key in the other end. A few years ago, it would potentially blow some fuses/links in the power handle but pretty sure that doesn't happen now.
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