Tag: Model Railway Engineering

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How much does it cost to stop a train?

What components do I need for a complete vacuum braking system and how much will it cost?

We are frequently asked what items are required to fit vacuum brakes.

There are of course many different types of locomotives and rolling stock so there is no generic answer.

The example solution shown below is based on a narrow-gauge Romulus hauling two eight wheeled wagons. On the loco, all wheels are braked whilst on the wagons just the rear four-wheel bogie is braked.

 

Product Part No. Description Qty Unit Cost Total Cost
PNR-4R Vacuum Ejector No 1

Required to create the vacuum

 1 £78.95 £78.95
PNR-1H Vacuum Limiting Valve

Used to set the limit of vacuum in the system

 1 £40.95 £40.95
PNR-3P 7¼” Narrow Gauge Progressive Brake Valve with Lap 1 £195.90 £195.90
PNR-2D Vacuum Brake Kit with Trunnion. This version is to allow for fitting in carriages where space may be an issue. 3 £45.70 £137.10
PNR-1C Vacuum Reservoir

To hold a reserve of vacuum without which the brakes would not be able to be applied

 3 £17.00 £51.00
PNR-1G Vacuum Release Valve Employed to allow atmospheric air pressure into the vacuum reservoir 3 £12.00 £36.00
PNR-3U Vacuum Gauge – Brass

Two are required, one to show the vacuum in the train pipe and the second to show what is in the reservoir on the loco.

 2 £51.80 £103.60
PNR-1E 1/3 Scale Brake Blocks (Set of 4) 3 £15.80 £47.40
PNR-1J T-Hose Connector 6 £1.45 £8.70
PNR-1M BSP Socket 3 £2.00 £6.00
PNR-1L Male Taper Hose 3 £1.85 £5.55
PNR-1I Clear PVC Tube 3 1/16th 4 m £1.15 £4.60
Example Total Including VAT £715.75

Prices correct as at June 2021.

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Mount Kilimanjaro at Rugby MES

Extract from the Rugby MES Newsletter.

The month started with the trial steaming of locomotive ‘Mount Kilimanjaro’, which is on loan to us by owners PNP Railways – the makers of various plastic products for miniature railways such as the rail clips for our track and vacuum cylinders for our coach brakes. The video of this is on our website but here is what Edward has to say:

It was a lovely sunny day, and the first steam trials for the East African Railways 59 Class Garratt No.5928 “Mount Kilimanjaro” that is staying with us. This marks the completion of the major works that were carried out in order for the boiler to pass its hydraulic and steam tests. The engine has been completed almost exactly as it was last running, and came with some ‘health issues’! We knew about these before we agreed to have “MK” on loan at RMES, and we knew we’d have some work to do, which will take us a little time, it’s nothing we can’t handle with the clubs skills, and will be a very interesting trip in to the science of steam locomotives. Today’s steaming was all about finding out what the performance of the engine was as it arrived, setting a benchmark, and from that we can build. The ‘health issues’ were very evident and we had some issues with steaming, as we had already predicted, but we know now what we need to do.

I couldn’t have completed the work on my own and the help of the engineering department has been invaluable. I don’t make a habit of naming names in case I miss anyone out, but you know who you are!”

Many thanks to Rugby MES for the update and images.