CSX Conductor Training Part 3: Air
Brake & Train Handling Rules
Questions & Answers(RATED A+)
Angle cock - ANSWERA valve located at each end of a locomotive or car used to
open or close the brake pipe. Handle in line means it's open. Handle crosswise
means it's closed.
Branch pipe cut out cock - ANSWERDevice used for cutting in and cutting out the
control valve on a locomotive or car. Handle crosswise with pipe, the cut out cock is
open. Handle in line with pipe, the cut out cock is closed.
Brake cylinder release valve - ANSWERValve designed to provide a means for
releasing brake cylinder pressure on a freight car by actuating a bleed rod near the
control valve that is to be identified by a small loop or handle on the bleed rod.
Brake cylinder - ANSWERA device on cars and locomotives, which converts the
force of compressed air into a mechanical force to move brake shoes against the
wheels. Contains a piston and piston rod. Piston out mean brakes are applied.
Piston released inside means they are released
Brake pipe - ANSWERThe pipe extending the length of the car, locomotive or train
through which air brakes are charged, applied and released.
Control valve - ANSWERDevice on locomotives in cars that charges, applies and
releases breaks in response to changes in brake pipe pressure.
Auxiliary reservoir - ANSWERA storage volume for compressed air, charged from
the brake pipe, which provides air pressure for use in service and emergency brake
applications.
Emergency reservoir - ANSWERA storage volume for compressed air, charged from
the brake pipe, which provides air pressure for use in emergency brake application
and certain recharge features.
Reduction relay valve - ANSWERA device found on freight cars when the length of
the brake pipe is 75 feet or longer. Primary function of the A-1 reduction relay valve
is to assist the control valve with the venting of brake pipe air during train air brake
application.
No. 8 Vent Valve - ANSWERWill malfunction and cause a continuous exhaust of
brake pipe air that prevents the brakes from releasing.
Safety appliance - ANSWERStationary hand holds, ladder rungs, cross over
platforms and stirrups designed for climbing, riding or getting on or off equipment.
, The air brake on a car must be considered inoperative when it has a brake cylinder
piston travel in excess of: - ANSWER10.5 inches
What percentage of operative air brakes must each train at least have when in
route? - ANSWER85%
While enroute each train must have an operative air brake on the: - ANSWERRear
car
If brake pipe leakage exceeds 5 psi per minute, the brakes are: -
ANSWERInoperative
What class brake test do you make where the train is originally made up? -
ANSWERClass 1
What class brake test do you make when the train's consist is changed? -
ANSWERClass 1
When calculating the number of operative air brakes count: - ANSWERLocomotives
as a car
Control valve on articulated equipment as a car
What is the correct air brake pipe pressure for road freight trains? - ANSWER90 PSI
Who are responsible for the condition of air brake and air signal equipment on
locomotives and cars to the extent it is possible to detect defective equipment by the
required air brake test? - ANSWERTrainmen
What department must the conductor accept results of any inspection -
ANSWERMechanical department
Who is equally responsible for ensuring cars and locomotives receive the required
inspections and brake tests? - ANSWEREach crewmember
What are the four ways to determine the air pressure at the rear of the train or cut of
cars? - ANSWER1. Telemetry
2. Air Gauge on locomotive coupled to the rear
3. Air Gauge in the EOT or marker unit.
4. Accurate hand-held gaugr
When making air brake tests using telemetry, how do you determine that the brakes
at the rear end of the train have applied and released? - ANSWERA 5-PSI brake
pipe reduction indicates applied.
A 5-PSI brake pipe increase after an application is made indicates release.
After an air brake test, verify that brake pipe pressure is being restored at: -
ANSWERThe rear of the train before proceeding.
Brake & Train Handling Rules
Questions & Answers(RATED A+)
Angle cock - ANSWERA valve located at each end of a locomotive or car used to
open or close the brake pipe. Handle in line means it's open. Handle crosswise
means it's closed.
Branch pipe cut out cock - ANSWERDevice used for cutting in and cutting out the
control valve on a locomotive or car. Handle crosswise with pipe, the cut out cock is
open. Handle in line with pipe, the cut out cock is closed.
Brake cylinder release valve - ANSWERValve designed to provide a means for
releasing brake cylinder pressure on a freight car by actuating a bleed rod near the
control valve that is to be identified by a small loop or handle on the bleed rod.
Brake cylinder - ANSWERA device on cars and locomotives, which converts the
force of compressed air into a mechanical force to move brake shoes against the
wheels. Contains a piston and piston rod. Piston out mean brakes are applied.
Piston released inside means they are released
Brake pipe - ANSWERThe pipe extending the length of the car, locomotive or train
through which air brakes are charged, applied and released.
Control valve - ANSWERDevice on locomotives in cars that charges, applies and
releases breaks in response to changes in brake pipe pressure.
Auxiliary reservoir - ANSWERA storage volume for compressed air, charged from
the brake pipe, which provides air pressure for use in service and emergency brake
applications.
Emergency reservoir - ANSWERA storage volume for compressed air, charged from
the brake pipe, which provides air pressure for use in emergency brake application
and certain recharge features.
Reduction relay valve - ANSWERA device found on freight cars when the length of
the brake pipe is 75 feet or longer. Primary function of the A-1 reduction relay valve
is to assist the control valve with the venting of brake pipe air during train air brake
application.
No. 8 Vent Valve - ANSWERWill malfunction and cause a continuous exhaust of
brake pipe air that prevents the brakes from releasing.
Safety appliance - ANSWERStationary hand holds, ladder rungs, cross over
platforms and stirrups designed for climbing, riding or getting on or off equipment.
, The air brake on a car must be considered inoperative when it has a brake cylinder
piston travel in excess of: - ANSWER10.5 inches
What percentage of operative air brakes must each train at least have when in
route? - ANSWER85%
While enroute each train must have an operative air brake on the: - ANSWERRear
car
If brake pipe leakage exceeds 5 psi per minute, the brakes are: -
ANSWERInoperative
What class brake test do you make where the train is originally made up? -
ANSWERClass 1
What class brake test do you make when the train's consist is changed? -
ANSWERClass 1
When calculating the number of operative air brakes count: - ANSWERLocomotives
as a car
Control valve on articulated equipment as a car
What is the correct air brake pipe pressure for road freight trains? - ANSWER90 PSI
Who are responsible for the condition of air brake and air signal equipment on
locomotives and cars to the extent it is possible to detect defective equipment by the
required air brake test? - ANSWERTrainmen
What department must the conductor accept results of any inspection -
ANSWERMechanical department
Who is equally responsible for ensuring cars and locomotives receive the required
inspections and brake tests? - ANSWEREach crewmember
What are the four ways to determine the air pressure at the rear of the train or cut of
cars? - ANSWER1. Telemetry
2. Air Gauge on locomotive coupled to the rear
3. Air Gauge in the EOT or marker unit.
4. Accurate hand-held gaugr
When making air brake tests using telemetry, how do you determine that the brakes
at the rear end of the train have applied and released? - ANSWERA 5-PSI brake
pipe reduction indicates applied.
A 5-PSI brake pipe increase after an application is made indicates release.
After an air brake test, verify that brake pipe pressure is being restored at: -
ANSWERThe rear of the train before proceeding.
