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Showing content with the highest reputation on 01/03/2002 in all sections

  1. Train brakes were invented/innovated by George Westinghouse. He devised a method to apply brakes using compressed air, also called a pneumatic braking system. A compressor in the engine got up the necessary air, which was pumped back through hoses on each car to apply the brakes. Trouble was, if something went wrong with the compressor, you had a train that couldn't stop. So he went back to the drawing board and made it so you needed compressed air to RELEASE the brakes, which were otherwise locked. That way if there's a problem with the compressor or a busted hose, the brakes go on automatically. That's what you're hearing when you're next to a train and there's that steady hiss, which spills over to the next car in line. They're pumping air to get ready to release the brakes.
    1 point
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