]
The merits of a brake in which electric apparatus is used, that has
been adopted by one large railway company, and is about to be used on
the State railways, as well as the fact that arrangements are being
made to introduce it in England, demand consideration. It may be that
modifications will, under different circumstances, be introduced, or
that the system will ultimately be found too cumbersome or too
delicate, but before criticism it is necessary to know something of
the apparatus. We therefore endeavor to give somewhat in detail the
arrangement adopted by M.L. Regray, chief engineer of the Chemin de
Fer de l'Est, the electrical system being that of M. Achard. An
electro-magnet, A, is suspended on a hinged axis, so that the poles of
the magnet have for armatures cylinders of metal fixed upon the axle
of the carriage. Suppose now the poles, D D, of the magnet brought
into contact with the revolving armatures, the friction between them
causes the magnet to revolve. The chain attached to the brake is fixed
to the extended axle of the magnet, and consequently when that axle
revolves is wound up, bringing the brakes upon the wheels. The
friction between the poles and the armature depends upon the strength
of the magnet, and this can be regulated at will from a maximum to a
minimum.
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