Grouping & merging different companies' operating practices

[david_g]

What would happen if the strings were not pulled? Would anything/anyone be damaged? Would the brakes stay on/off?

The brakes would stay on or drag a bit.
The brake reservoirs and the reservoir side of the brake cylinders on the coaches would still have 25” of vacuum on them, assuming they hadn’t leaked off. If the new loco was only making 21” in the train pipe the 4” difference would partially apply the brakes.
Pulling the strings allows air into the reservoir so when 21” is subsequently applied in the train pipe the vacuum reestablished in the reservoir would be 21” and there would be 21” either side of the piston in the cylinder, releasing the brake.

 

[2192]

The brakes would stay on or drag a bit.
The brake reservoirs and the reservoir side of the brake cylinders on the coaches would still have 25” of vacuum on them, assuming they hadn’t leaked off. If the new loco was only making 21” in the train pipe the 4” difference would partially apply the brakes.
Pulling the strings allows air into the reservoir so when 21” is subsequently applied in the train pipe the vacuum reestablished in the reservoir would be 21” and there would be 21” either side of the piston in the cylinder, releasing the brake.

Thanks.