At this stage we may as well make and fit the brake gear to the engine. The BR standard engines were all fitted with steam brakes, in addition to which the tender engines also had a steam brake cylinder on the tender so it would be a good idea to machine both brake cylinders at one sitting. For the benefit of those who did not read the articles on the 2-6-4 Tank these locomotives also had a vacuum braking system but this was only for the train. However, the two systems worked together through the driver's vacuum brake valve and the graduable steam brake valve. When travelling light engine, the brakes would be applied with the steam brake valve alone but when travelling with a vacuum fitted train, the brake application was made using only the vacuum brake valve. The system was designed so that when the vacuum brake was applied it automatically applied the steam brakes on the engine.
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