Howdy!

I was reading the FRA Steam Locomotive standards, and saw this in Sub-part C, "Brake and Signal Equipment", § 230.70

"(b) Brake pipe valve required. Each steam locomotive shall have a brake pipe valve attached to the front of the tender, the rear of the back cab wall, or adjacent to the exit of a vestibuled cab. The words “Emergency Brake Valve” shall be clearly displayed near the valve."

As far as I know, many locomotives operating today from late 19th and early 20th century don't have an extra e-brake in the cab separate from the engineer's automatic brake valve. I've read that there is such a thing as a isolating cutoff valve between the main reservoir and the brake valve on later locomotives for doubleheading, but not a seperate "big hole" lever (like a conductor's e-brake I suppose) in the cab/mounted on the tender.

If there is such a thing, I'm guessing these should have been retrofitted a long time ago, but I wasn't sure if it was something to be overlooked or not. My apologies if this has been discussed before, I did a search for emergency brakes and couldn't find anything.

Thanks!
Chaz Robitaille

Just about every CNR engine received them (likely around the 50's although that's just a guess, don't have time to check).

On CNR 6167 its a valve handle located just above the engineer's door and vents inside the cab over the engineer's head actually (but of course if he was using it, he probably wouldn't be in his seat). You can see the handle here. And in service there would have been a red decal above the handle marked emergency brake valve.

The valve is connected (inside the cab) to that pipe running parallel to the handrails.

Every 1:1 scale steam locomotive I've ever been on had one.

If you look at the engineer's side of the tender, above the sand box, you will see a red handle pointing up. Location varies.

Here is the Emergency Valve on the 60 at Stone Mountain. On the firemans side of the cab. The valve is piped into the brake pipe and provides a way to "Big Hole" the train brakes.

There have been occasions when the cab filled with steam from a broken gage glass or other fitting and brake valves couldn't be accessed to stop the train. So, one in a location where a fireman or engineer or head brakeman on his way to join the birds could grab it - like in the gangway or doorway - became SOP. It is so easy to plumb in there's no excuse for not including it, and, i wouldn't encourage you to generally think that required hardware is in any way optional. There's a specific waiver process you can use if you want to try. That's much harder than installing one.....your call.

dave

Cool, it makes sense that it isn't optional, I was just curious. Just one of the many things the smaller locomotives I've worked with didn't have, and as such was unfamiliar with it. Thanks for the help!

- Chaz

Even 0-4-0T Flagg Coal #75 has one.

Howard P.

They seem to be pretty common, possibly they weren't as well marked as they should have been and/or you overlooked them?

Very possible and/or probable. Like they say, you learn something new everyday. Thanks for all the photos!

- Chaz