Air line MU's?

[NYC_George]

Talking about MU lines yesterday The other MU’s. The air line MU’s. Under the coupler I know there’s the main air brake train line, next to that on passenger trains is the whistle communication line. But still the others, the 4 or 5 off to the right and left of the coupler. You see them on the models all the time. I know one’s the independent engine brake, another the bell but the other three are for what? Does anybody know?

NYC_George

 

[jbaakko]

The hoses are, from the coupler out, MR (main reservoir) ACT (actuating) and BC (brake cylinder), or sometimes AR (application and release).

http://www.railway-technical.com/us-musp.shtml

 

[ThoroughBreed]

Thanks Josh, I had always wondered about those and why different railroads used varying amounts on the locos. Some locos you'll only see 3 plus the main, and others will have about 6-8 plus the main.

 

[ThoroughBreed]

And I'm guessing that the extra line on a loco, one that has steam generator, would be for the passenger cars and steam use.

 

[lmackattack]

Good info guys i always wondered myself!

 

[NYC_George]

Passenger car MU lines

On a passenger train there's 3 connections right under the coupler. The main air brake line the larger of the 2 rubber hoses, a smaller rubber hose the whistle communation line and third the steel steam line. Most people don't ever notice the whistle communation line. When you see the conductor pull on that cord near the cieling of the car a whistle blows in the engine. It tells the engineer what to do. I use to always like the 5 whistle signal. Send back more heat.

NYC_George

 

[UP2CSX]

Eric, the steam line would usually be a much thicker hose coming from a steam pipe. It was usually hung from the pilot frame opposite the air line. I can't find a good picture right now but the NKP had a couple of RS-36's with steam generators and you can see the steam line differs significantly from the other MU hoses.