Leading wheels, also known as pilot wheels or guide wheels, serve an important purpose on a steam locomotive. They...
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What is the purpose of the leading wheels on a steam locomotive?Read more -
Why do some wagons have articulated bogies?Read moreSome wagons are equipped with articulated bogies to provide enhanced stability, improved tracking and increased...
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What is the purpose of a brake van?
Brake vans (originally called break vans) were first employed on early industrial tramways and cableways to provide braking should coupling fail. They were needed because early wagons didn't have brakes of their own. These types of wagons are known as un-fitted wagons.
As the railways developed through the 19th century, many practices from the early tramways were inherited, including the use of brake vans.
Brake vans started to appear with enclosed cabins for the guard and creature comforts such as a seat, fireplace and stove were installed. Brake vans also carried a variety of tools to assist the guard with coupling, breakdowns and emergencies. As trains got longer and heavier, brake vans were also used to help with regular service braking as well as runaway situations.
The use of brake vans on un-fitted and part-fitted trains remained commonplace until the mass introduction of fitted wagons during the 1960s and '70s and even longer in some circumstances.
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