Re: I think the engineer was trying to make up time
Author: George Andrews
Date: 10-12-2020 - 19:35
Dr Zarkoff Wrote:
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> > NP also saw reason to disconnect a troublesome
> disc brake system on the passenger cars soon after
> the NCL wreck.
>
> I seriously doubt the NP disconnected the brake
> system, perhaps modified it to eliminate the
> problems, but not "disconnected it".
Several passages from William R. Kuebler,Jr's 2004 book The Vista - Dome North Coast Limited, page 181 : " Finally, it is interesting to note that the NP discontinued use of the controversial electro - pneumatic brake system on trains No. 25 and 26. Railway records do not state the reason for this discontinuance, a rather unusual omission suggesting the probability that this decision resulted directly from the Granite accident. The NP officially took the system out of service on May, 27, 1962, just over two months after the Granite accident. Shop personnel gradually removed all electro - pheumatic brake system components from locomotive units and cars during the two - year period following following the May 1962 discontiuance. Disc brakes, however, remained in use. "
On page 180: " Those who tended to blame the brake system also had substantial supporting evidence. First, many engine crews believed that the electro - pneumatic brake system on the train was prone to malfunction, especially in winter weather when snow and ice could interfere with electrical connections between the cars, thus interfering with a brake application. Several engineers experienced problems with this controversial system during the few years it was in use. Second, the disc brakes in use on most of the lightweight cars were also prone to malfunctions, especially in certain winter weather conditions. "
" There were two significant problems with disc brakes. The first was ice and snow build - up on the brake pads, virtually eliminating useful friction during braking. The second problem was untimely action from the anti - wheel slide devices. "