@Hot Water posted:Why?
No springs needed on railroad cars, since the air pressure from the individual air reservoirs on ever car, is used to apply the brakes.
Springs on such heavy railroad equipment would be a high maintenance item. The current train lined air brake system used by virtually all railroads, has worked successfully since developed by George Westinghouse, well more than 100 years ago.
Why? I’m taking the other posters at their word, but a cut of cars that are sitting could eventually leak the air pressure required to hold the brake on.
Also, after doing a little Googling, apparently an over application of the train brake can deplete the air and lead to the inability of the triple-valve to detect an emergency condition.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wik...ir_brake#Limitations
On a tractor trailer, you lose air, your truck stops. The brakes are applied and don’t let off until air is restored.
