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CONTINUOUS UAILWAY BRAKES. 



but more especially such ones as "railway brakes," of 

 which, thetre are a groat number, may bo remedied by 

 detailed description when particular mechanisms are ana- 

 lysed. 



The author proj-mses describing, so far as time will allow 

 of, as many of the " continuous brakes " of all classes, both 

 automatic and simple, as are interesting on account of their 

 extensive use at the ])resent time, or because they mark 

 an era in the development of the continuous railway 

 brake. 



A. EXAMPLES OF SIMPLE CONTINUOUS BBAKES. 

 The Continuous Screw Brake. 



This is an example of Class I. 



The power for working the brake is applied to a hand- 

 wheel in the guard's van, which, by means of bevel gearing, 

 communicates a rotary motion to a shaft extending along 

 underneath the carriages. 



The revolution of the shaft screwed up the brakes on 

 each carriage under which the shaft extended. Tliis shaft 

 was, of course, made in lengths, one of which was carried 

 by each carriage of the " sot " over which the continuity 

 of the " brakes " was to bo maintained ; and the ex- 

 tremities of the shaft lengths were formed to make suitable 

 couplings. 



It is evident that, provided the " power " of the guard was 

 sufficiently increased by the screw gearing, the " continuous 

 screw brake " may be regarded as a good and reliable brake, 

 and one which was not likely to get out of order. 



In the event of the train breaking in two, the portion 

 of the train with which the brake-van remained, would 

 still possess the moans of stopping. 



To increase the utility of the continuous screw brake, 



