This is something that sometimes creates problems but is also one of those cool features the game has, so this is a very quick guide to know which is the right setting to use in each case. Normally the vintage wagons like the vans and MK1 use the vacuum type, while the modern ones like the MK2 or the tankers use the air type. Many british locomotives have a dual brake system and it´s configured with a switch in the cab, so the correct setting needs to be used, including the brake type (air or vacuum) and the consist type (passenger or goods). How to identify which type of brake system the locomotive should use? Most wagons have only one, but others like the mail wagons in NTP route have the two as well. What we need to observe are the brake hoses. See the example of the coupling area from a class 08 shunter: The one on the left side of the coupler is the vacuum hose and the ones on the right side are the air hoses. Let´s see them connected. Vacuum brake hose It has a frontal connection and the hose connector is usually grey. Air brake hose It has a lateral connection (handshake shape) and the hose connectors are usually red (control hose only) or red and yellow (control hose and fast charge hose). In the cases where wagons are fitted with a dual system we need to set the brake type in the locomotive selector before coupling. If wrong brake type is selected in the locomotive after coupling to a dual system or in the cases of wagons using only one brake system the train brakes won´t work. Power supply hose The passenger consists have sometimes an additional hose to provide power supply from the locomotive generator to the coaches heating and ligthining systems which should not be confused with the brake hoses. This is also yellow but it ends in an electrical box and it has a different connector. See the example from the Class 47. The yellow one on the foreground is the power supply hose. Cheers
geloxo - thanks for taking the time to provide this pictorial tutorial. It is refreshing to see a positive thread in these forums and to have someone share their knowledge and experiences to help others better understand how system work.
Many thanks. I just do it as many times I also need to understand the systems myself, as I´m not familiar with all of them, so I share it as it may help other users as well Cheers
