Westinghouse Railroad Air Brake

The Westinghouse Railroad Air Brake is a safety system used on trains that allows the engineer to control the brakes on all cars simultaneously using compressed air. When the engineer applies the brake, it releases air pressure in the system, causing the brake shoes to press against the wheels and slow the train. Releasing the brake recharges the system with air, releasing the brakes. This design ensures quick, coordinated stopping and is safer than manual systems, preventing accidents by providing reliable, centralized control of train braking.