Doing some research for an upcoming project at the Southern Michigan Railroad. Does anyone here have any information on the brake systems of these cars? Our car was the class unit of the first order built by Pullman. From what little information I have found it was equipped with AML? brakes originally. And it is rumored to have a U5 brake valve. Currently the control stands are cutout on the car and we run it as a normal passenger/freight car behind our 44 tonner.

We have had problems with the car slamming the brakes hard on with only a 5-10lb reduction. Adjusting the slack and lubricating key points has not helped thus far. I have not yet rolled under the car this winter to do a more thorough inspection as I have been busy with other projects. Well that and crawling around under a car stored outside in a Michigan winter is not much fun.

Would CSS have upgraded any of the brake valves over the years before the cars were retired in the 80's?

Looks like a universal valve to me. It could be a U-5. I think the U-4 was common for the Chicago Elevated lines and the Insull interuban lines.

I'm familiar with the U-5 because that is what the PE, ex-SP "blimps" at Orange Empire are equipped with. I may have a Wabco booklet in the next room.

The AML schedule would be using an L-triple valve.

I am sure that it is overdue for a COT&S. Remove the portions and send them off to Multi-Serve in Leetsdale, PA for rebuilding. Sounds like the internal components are sticking due to gummed up lubricant, corrosion or foreign matter, and then breaks free kicking the brakes on.

http://www.multiservicesupply.com/product-category/passenger-car/

I spoke with Multi-Serve about this and they recommended to bypass it and replace with a ABD triple valve or similar.

We are considering this as an option however we would like to keep the car as original as practical.


Robert- Thanks for the pictures I was not aware that you had them.

you might get the replacment, remove the original and see whats up with it, repair, keep it handy if/when the replacement decides to go bad...it will get you tha car back in action asap

You don't mention what regulations you operate under, so assuming insular you have the option of disassembling, cleaning, lubricating and reassembling the valve yourself on a clean bench. If you can reuse the gaskets and there are no bad parts, this could work for you. You might also try Pittsburgh Air Brake for another professionals advice about certified rebuilding. These are not going to be permanent solutions, however - the long term is the bite the bullet and go with an ABD derivative for off shelf, run to fail operation. Don't worry about the cost - if you want to run the car you will have to pay whatever it costs to keep it in useable condition. Your mileage may vary......

Yes we are insular but the possibility still exists that if we were to get a customer it would not take much to become a part of the greater system. This is the reason I am trying to get us up to date at least mechanically.

To that end we do have another CSS car but it was of the next generation built by Standard Steel so there is the possibility the brakes are set up differently. I need to verify this yet.

Does anyone know who may still have the build records for these cars?

I don't think it's worth trying to find as-built records... with the amount of rebuilding the South Shore did. The AML brake schedule was long obsolete by WWII.

I'm no air brake expert, but I recall hearing that the South Shore cars used U4 valves, same as the Chicago elevated cars. I do remember back in the seventies, when the South Shore was still rebuilding brake valves, IRM sending U4 valves off "L" cars and North Shore cars to Michigan City for work... one of the guys used to take them downtown Monday morning and send them to Shops via South Shore package freight. He'd pick the serviced valves up at Randolph St. later in the week.

I should think, with the number of SS and "L" cars in preservation, someone is still servicing the valves.

With regard to documentation for both Pullman and Standard Steel Car Companies, at the IRM's Pullman Library we have the bulk of South Shore car drawings for both companies, including the specifications and drawing lists for South Shore Pullman cars. For the Southern Michigan Railroad Society to maintain a historic file on the cars, it might be reasonable to contact the Pullman Library with your request.
With regard to subsequent rebuilds of the mechanical and electrical equipment, I agree that many changes and improvements would have been made. We can help with documenting the nature of the original car bodies and equipment. We have provided assistance to others to help restore their cars, including the cars at IRM. I would suggest contacting IRM's Electric Car Department, Rod Turner, Department Head for their experience and he could refer you to the appropriate individuals who were instrumental in restoration and operation.
Sincerely, Ted Anderson, Pullman Library curator Illinois Railway Museum

The valves probably just need to be serviced. Contact Bill Jubeck at Pittsburgh Air Brake Co. http://www.pabco.biz/

I'll second the above statements that the valve likely just needs servicing. These older valves were not intended to be used indefinitely without servicing in the way the newer ABD family valves are. As is mentioned above, talk to Bill Jubeck at PABCO.

For what it's worth, the Hicks-Hakner database lists the brakes on the preserved CSS&SB cars as AMU valves. This is the same valve that Chicago Transit Authority 4000 series cars and North Shore Line Interurbans use.

I emailed the Pullman Library this morning, Thanks.

AMU yes sorry my brain likes to change up letters on me sometimes.