The Erie Railroad Boxcars Part 3 - 15
STEP 13: The Brake Detail
53: As previously stated, I am using Tichy brake
detail. I assembled the parts per the instructions.
Once all of the parts were assembled, I added
them to the underside of the car.
I began by adding the triple valve and the air
reservoir. These were located following the
drawing provided by Tichy. As I started installing
these parts I discovered that I needed to raise
the triple valve on a 4” pedestal. A 12” long piece
of 4” x 6” stock was cut and placed one board-
length towards the center from the cross bearer.
I cemented the triple valve to the pedestal after I
had drilled out the holes for the brake lines.
I assembled the brake reservoir following Tichy’s
instructions. Once the reservoir was assembled,
I drilled holes to accept brake lines. Next I cut
another piece of 4” x 6” stock 12” long and
cemented it to the brake reservoir so the 6” side
is vertical. This raised the brake reservoir enough
so that it could sit on one of the cross bearers
and the center of the reservoir was even with the
bottom of the center beam.
53
STEP 13: The Brake Detail
Continued ...
54
54: Two of the almost-completed underframes
with brake detail. All that needs to be done is to
install the rod to the hand brake
The cylinder was assembled following the
instructions. Once it was completed, a piece of
.080” angle 12” long was cemented to the stringer.
The angle was located along the inside edge of the
stringer and two boards in from the cross bearer. I
then cemented the brake cylinder on the angle.
Finally I cut pieces of .030" rod 14” long as a
pedestal for the small brake lever pivot end to set on.
This was cemented on the inside of the frame just
outboard of the cross bearer.
Once all of the pieces were in place I began
plumbing the brake system. I used DA .012" brass
wire for the airlines. This is a cut-and-fit process that
can sometimes be frustrating.
MRH-Jun 2013
