What is the first step in cutting out an air brake on a car?

What is the first step in cutting out an air brake on a car?

• A. Close the cut-out cock in the brake pipe branch pipe by placing the handle in line with the pipe.
• B. Release all air pressure from reservoirs by holding the brake cylinder release rod to its fullest travel until the air has exhausted.
• C. Verify that the brake cylinder piston retracts into the brake cylinder.
• D. Verify that the brake shoes are away from the wheels.

Answer: (A)

Isolating the car from the train’s air brake system is the first step when cutting out an air brake. You do this by closing the cut-out cock on the brake pipe branch pipe, placing the handle in line with the pipe. This seals off the car from the train line, so air from the rest of the train can’t affect this car while you’re working. It prevents the automatic brake from reacting to the cut-out and keeps the system safe to service. After this isolation, the other steps are carried out to vent the brake and ensure the brake components don’t engage when you move the car, but they rely on having the car already isolated first.

Isolating the car from the train’s air brake system is the first step when cutting out an air brake. You do this by closing the cut-out cock on the brake pipe branch pipe, placing the handle in line with the pipe. This seals off the car from the train line, so air from the rest of the train can’t affect this car while you’re working. It prevents the automatic brake from reacting to the cut-out and keeps the system safe to service.

After this isolation, the other steps are carried out to vent the brake and ensure the brake components don’t engage when you move the car, but they rely on having the car already isolated first.