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Gigantic Freight Car classification turntable?

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[quote user="raymondtylicki"] ...If the air brakes connections were already in the knuckle coupler like they are on in some light rail applications that would speed things up a lot[/quote]I rember when DPM used to lament this shortcoming of the otherwise automatic coupler.  Quite some time ago, I put a ton of thought into solving this problem.  I built a couple prototypes and subsequently did a patent search.  One patent turned out to be very similar to what I had prototyped.  I have not studied the current LRT applications that you mention.  My general conclusion was that the invention could be made practical, but overcoming the financial inertia to convert the entire North American car fleet would be nearly impossible.  Furthermore, the invention would have to be compatible with non-converted cars during the conversion.A feature of my invention was to include a second train line and a corresponding second set of ports in the air coupling device.  This second train line would be connected to small a pneumatic cylinder on each car that would operate the bleeder valve.  So a cut of cars would not need to be walked and manually bled prior to switching.  You would just cut in air to the bleeder line and all the cars would bleed automatically.
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