Pump Governor - Westinghouse Air Brake
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Pump Governor - Westinghouse Air Brake
Today, the air brake is the standard, fail-safe train brake used by railways worldwide. Early train brakes were hand operated and largely ineffective. To get higher and safe speeds, American inventor George Westinghouse brought out an air brake in 1869. Unfortunately, if a hose burst or the train broke in two the brakes on the entire train became useless. Also the brakes worked unevenly throughout the train and could cause the carriages to collide. Westinghouse introduced the automatic air brake for steam trains in 1873. Putting a quick-action triple valve and an auxiliary reservoir under each vehicle ensured independent braking power and the automatic application of the brakes on the whole train. The pump governor shown in this late 19th c illustration acts as an automatic throttle valve to maintain the desired system air pressure
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6353839
© Sheila Terry
Air Pressure Carriage Engine Fail Safe Locomotive Railway Steam Train Tender Trains Throttle Westinghouse
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the intricate machinery of a Pump Governor - Westinghouse Air Brake, showcasing the evolution of train brakes throughout history. In the early days, hand-operated brakes proved largely ineffective and posed significant safety risks. However, American inventor George Westinghouse revolutionized railway transportation with his introduction of the air brake in 1869. While this innovation allowed for higher speeds and safer journeys, it was not without its flaws. A burst hose or a broken train rendered the entire braking system useless, leading to potential disasters. Moreover, uneven braking throughout the train often resulted in dangerous collisions between carriages. To address these issues, Westinghouse introduced the automatic air brake for steam trains in 1873. This groundbreaking development featured an auxiliary reservoir and quick-action triple valve under each vehicle, ensuring independent braking power and automatically applying brakes to the entire train when necessary. The pump governor depicted in this late 19th-century illustration played a crucial role as an automatic throttle valve that maintained desired system air pressure. Its presence symbolizes how technological advancements have transformed railways worldwide by providing fail-safe measures and enhancing passenger safety. Sheila Terry's remarkable photograph serves as a testament to George Westinghouse's ingenuity and his contribution to modernizing railway systems globally through his invention of the automatic air brake.
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