Go'in braking!

[GDRMCo]

The PNQ has recieved delivery of the brake units that were to be delivered to the Mine Rail but because of the G&A-Mine Rail merger thebrake units are now PNQ's. These EOT Dynamic Brake Units or DBU Class feature regenerative braking (dynamic braking without the engine and generator, the generators are on the truck instead of the traction motors); automated braking based on a gyro system which detects weather the rails are wet, the grade in which the unit applies a certain amount of braking force and weather or not the train is over the speed limit in a certain area in which it will slow the train to the speed limit and will notify the driver with a buzzer in the cab and a voce report. These are to operate in the yards and on the mountain grades in which any number of DBU's can be assembled into a more powerful braking unit. The DBU's that are to operate in yards will have small diesel engines fitted with remote control so that the DBU's can uncouple from cars and move away from the spot at which the cars are to be placed.
I have seen a SP brake sled made from a FM Trainmaster and jhhtrainsplanes has told me that Frisco had some aswell. Some elaboration jhhtrainsplanes please?
If you have read all this you can ask me for a free sample drawing of the DBU in whatever scheme you want, just email me.

[Anonymous]

Mitchell [8D]

In the book FRISCO In Color by Marre and Sommers on page 31 is a photo of brake sled number X82. Frisco built 3 brake sleds because the Cherokee Yard in Tulsa was a "hold back" switching yard not a hump yard. The sleds were built from steam engine tenders and worked in yard service and were also used in heavy transfers in Memphis. Once Frisco acquirred the dynamic-braked SD-38s I guess the sleds were retired but that is just a guess. Something interesting about the photo is that the brake sled is attached to a pair of Fairbanks-Morse H10-44s one of which is numbered 281.

When I have time I might do a google search and see what else I might find about brake sleds. They are unique to say the least.

Does anyone know of other railroads that used brake sleds?

Mitchell, how many brake units are operating there?

Does anyone model a brake unit or brake sled?

[Anonymous]

Here is one line to a brake sled.

http://espee.railfan.net/sp_brake-sleds.html

If I find others I will post them too.