Thanks for joing in, Pappy! My work might be clean, but my work bench.... Well it's under that pile somewhere....

Thank you! I am glad my efforts are worthwhile to you!

Thanks for watching, Steve!

@@mattkinnard6899 Your very welcome.

Thanks Dave! I cannot take credit for coming up with the system, but modified it for my application. See you soon by the rails.

@@mattkinnard6899 👍😊

Great tips. I usually use a stick or stop block to hold cars back when the locomotive is uncoupled. Only problem with the valve idea is I know some of the "club owned" and maintained cars have slow leaks.

When a line is connected to the fitting the valve is held open, allowing air to flow in either direction.

I do not, especially in the USA.

@@mattkinnard6899 seems like that’s the only mechanism you might find on the real thing that they’re missing

I remind myself to stay off Discover Live Steam on a daily basis.

A mix of both depending on location. Memory is a little foggy but I think most of what's on the locomotive is 2+ barb and the quick connect fittings on the end of the car have single barb. With a quality air line I think you will be ok either way. Get the good air line from Tom Bee Online (by the foot) that is designed for the fittings. Your typical box hardware store vinyl tubing is junk and you will find yourself replacing it. Have not had any issues or air leaks after a season with a healthy amount of operating. Tip: use a thread locker on your brake hardware. Don't be like me and have a brake fall off. It is very difficult to move and stay on track when running over your own equipment.

The scale stuff works a little different than full size railroads.

In this scale it's a little difficult to model the way air brakes work on the real thing. Installing an reservoir on each car and maintaining triple valves on the cars is not practical. The brakes apply when positive pressure is applied from the locomotive, and are released at atmospheric pressure. I use safety chains between cars. They will keep the train together if a coupler fails or during a derailment. The safety chains are shorter than the air line between the cars, therefore the chains take the force and the air line will not snap. I have a 'runaway train' video on my channel that demonstrates what happens on a grade when safety chains are not used.

@@mattkinnard6899 Great. You know what You're doing. Anyway, impressive with air brakes. Railroad safety today is built on the experience from old accidents. I know lots of them.... Safe driving on Your railroad!

@@Stefan_Boerjesson very true statements. I do my best to keep my safety record clean. A good policy is that I do not take any more weight downhill than I can pull uphill.

@@mattkinnard6899 May I pull a joke? If You can't pull the load uphill, there's no problem downhill. But..... starting downhill will be very much different. Anyway, You're a true railroader, knowing "what's it's all about". I take my hat off.

@@mattkinnard6899 I wonder, why is it not the opposite? Use _spring loaded_ cylinders that _release_ the brakes when air pressure is applied. That way, it is safer. But of course if there is a leak your brakes may drag, and/or you'll be stuck, unable to move.