smd4 posted:Big Jim posted:If a leak occurs and the brakepipe pressure increases enough, then the brakes are coming off.
Wait...how will the brake pipe pressure increase if a leak occurs?
If a leak occurs from the emergency reservoir through the a car's brake valve, allowing increased pressure INTO the train line brake pipe, the the brakes could/will release since the train line air pressure increased.
Also, I thought a reduction in trainline pressure causes the brakes to apply?
Correct. But now what with all these modern ABDW "fast acting" brake valve, just a 1 1/2 pound increase in train line air pressure, the ABDW valves release. They are VERY sensitive.