Re: SLR pictures for December

[matthew@mail.usyd.edu.au (Matthew Geier)]

In article <Jyq76.221$F75.11731166@news.xtra.co.nz>,
Greg <cannabis@medicine.man> wrote:
>
>however if he/she doesn't the ATP will
>> apply the emergency brakes complete with track brake application.
>>
>> Ted
>>
>>
>
>emergency brakes?
>
>please explain these to me?

 Service brakes - full on.
 Magnetic track brakes - full on.

 Tram stops very very suddenly, throwing all the passengers up into a big
pile up behind the drivers cab bulkhead :-)

 Modern trams (and some VHST trains) have electromagnets between the axles
on the bogies. In an emergency braking situation, the magnets are activated
and the bogie attempts to stick it self to the rails.
 Friction on the track brake (and electrial effects in the rails on the VHST
version) provide a very powerful braking effect.