Air Brakes and Train Handling Rules - Alaska Railroad

67 Car Equipment and ComponentsThe following components make up the freight car air brake system:• Angle cocks• Brake pipe• Combined dirt collector and cutout cock• Control valve• Two-compartment reservoir• Brake cylinder• Retaining valves• Empty/load equipment• A-1 reduction relay valve• Automatic slack adjuster67.5 Angle CocksAngle cocks are located at both ends of freight cars and locomotivesand allow brake pipe air to flow between cars and locomotives.An angle cock is open when the handle is in line with the brake pipe.An angle cock is closed when the handle is at a right angle to thebrake pipe.67.6 Brake PipeThe brake pipe system distributes compressed air throughout thetrain. The brake pipe connects the automatic brake valve on thecontrolling locomotive with the brake equipment on all cars in thetrain.67.7 Combined Dirt Collector and Cutout CockThe dirt collector prevents foreign objects (dirt) from entering thecontrol valve. The cutout cock:• Allows the pipe connection between the control valve and thebrake pipe to close• Allows a malfunctioning car brake system to be cut outThe cutout cock is open when the handle is at a right angle to the pipe.The cutout cock is closed when the handle is parallel to the pipe.67-6 ARRC Air Brakes and Train Handling Manual June 1, 1996