Method for performing a brake pipe leakage test

Abstract

A brake pipe leakage test for a train is performed using an improved brake pipe drop pressure method prior to departure of the train consist from a railyard terminal. The train consist includes a brake, a brake pipe, and a brake pipe cutoff valve. The method comprising the steps of: (a) charging the brake pipe to within approximately 15 psi of a drop method setup pressure; (b) applying the brake on each locomotive and each railcar in the train consist; (c) making a prefigured reduction in pressure within the brake pipe; (d) determining length of the train consist; (e) waiting a predetermined time for the reduction in pressure to occur within the brake pipe, the predetermined time depending upon the length of the train consist; (f) closing the brake pipe cutoff valve after waiting the predetermined time thereby closing the brake pipe; (g) waiting a prespecified time during which pressure within the brake pipe settles; (h) monitoring leakage from the brake pipe for approximately one minute; (i) passing the train consist from the brake pipe leakage test only if the leakage does not exceed approximately 5 psi during the one minute period; (j) locating and repairing source(s) of the excessive leakage if the train consist fails the brake pipe leakage test; and (k) repeating the brake pipe leakage test after the source(s) of the excessive leakage have been located and repaired and until the train consist passes the brake pipe leakage test.