Balanced Air Brakes from Scratch

by Daris A Nevil

Fall 2015

During the summer of 2015 I began studying air brakes and how live steam modelers incorporate working air brake systems on their trains. I was well into building a Kitsap Live Steamers caboose kit and decided to add a fully operational balanced air brake system to the caboose.

This is my first attempt at building operating air brakes, and I am quite pleased with the results. Air brakes will certainly be added to my other equipment.

Equipment



 * Clippard parts:
 * UDR-17-1 : Stainless steel double-acting cylinder, 1 inch stroke, 1-1/16 inch bore, 5/16 inch shaft
 * CT4 : #10-32 to 1/8” ID Hose Connector, designed for Clippard's Polyurethane hose
 * T44-4 : Tee fitting, 1/8 inch ID
 * URH1-0804-BKS : Urethane tube 1/8 inch ID
 * TV-3SP : 3-Way Toggle Valve, ENP Steel Toggle, 1/8" NPT
 * MCV-2 : Check Valve, #10-32 Ports
 * 15090-1 : 1/8” NPT to #10-32 “L” Fitting