Eames Train Brakes - Official Work Thread

[Bill Reidy]

The vacuum system was amazing to experience in operation yesterday.  I rode the south end of the northbound train both at the start and the end of the day.  Very smooth operation, and the brakes were very secure when engaged.  Not surprising the brake team has done an excellent job!

[Gordon Cook]

I second Bill's thoughts on the vacuum brakes.
After observing Jason using them on the first trip up to Alna Center for the Christmas trains, on subsequent trips I was fairly easily able to stop smoothly at the stations. I think thats pretty amazing for a first use and I congratulate the entire crew that's working on the brake system.
From the engineering design, the implementation and extensive testing, and the patience to get it right, it's a really remarkable effort.

[ALAIN DELASSUS]

Congrats to the break crew. As usual on the WW&F you started from scratch. Braking systems are always intricate to make and adjust but you have little by little overcome all the technical difficulties. Implementing the Westinghouse system would have been the easy way out but faithfull to the WW&F motto you have chosen the Eames system. It was a challenge but yo have won it and as you have always worked in cooperation with the RFA  that breaking system will be agreed without any doubt.  At the Musée des Transports de Pithiviers only the power is fitted with a braking  system but someday the  authorithy in charge of the tourist railway safety will  force us to  equip the passenger cars with a safety breaking system and then that will be an other kettle of fish.

[Mike Fox]

Checking the next pot..

[Joe Fox]

That’s great. Train brakes will make engineers feel much more comfortable braking going down grades, and stopping. There is nothing nicer than knowing you have the tools at your control for slowing down or stopping when needed.