Dr Zarkoff Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > It will stay bailed unless there is leakage
>
> "Bailing" stops as soon as you let up on the
> handle. In the 24/26 systems letting up on the
> handle also depletes the actuating pipe (which has
> released the locomotive brakes). As another post
> has mentioned, if you make another brake pipe
> reduction you must bail again, and the same is
> true for brake pipe leakage.
>
> > If there is leakage the independent pressure
> will come up accordingly,
>
> The only time the independent pressure increases
> occurs when you deliberately make an application
> with the independent brake valve (and these cannot
> be released by bailing). The locomotive brakes
> brakes will apply every time a brake pipe
> reduction is made, deliberately or on account of
> leakage. Same brake cylinders, two different
> causes.

I respectfully disagree with the second half of your response. On a 6 system the distributing valve will see leakage as a reduction, and will apply the independent proportionately. Going down a mountain with a 6 system you constantly have to bail when riding out a set if there is brake pipe leakage present. However, on a properly functioning 26-L system you should not have to bail the independent after the initial bail after a brake pipe reduction, unless you make a further brake pipe reduction. Same goes for a 30ACDW system. If for some odd reason the pressure maintaining function is not functioning, your independent will creep up as your brake pipe leaks down. The independent on a 26/30 system will also creep up after bailing while performing a leakage test. They taught us in air brake school that the independent creeping up is a dead giveaway during a leakage test, aside from the brake pipe creeping down, and I have seen this many times. The independent on a 26/30 system will come up 1 1/2 times the reduction, in other words a 5 pound brake pipe reduction will get you around 7.5 pounds on the independent, depending on the type of J relay valve being used, or in a 6 system the type of distributing valve. I can't speak for 24RL, I've never really used it or worked on it.