The main line of pipe and flexible hoses connecting every railcar in a train to the locomotive's air supply. It carries compressed air to charge the individual reservoirs on each car and acts as the control signal for the brake valves. A drop in pressure in this pipe causes the brakes to apply automatically.
Heard on the job
We've a bad leak in the train pipe on the fifth car back, so the compressor is running non-stop.
Also heard as
- brake pipe
Related terms
Brake pipe
The air line running the full length of a train that charges and controls every car's brakes.
Glad hands
The coupling heads on the ends of air brake hoses, which lock together when two cars are joined.
Triple valve
The core control valve in a railway air brake system that charges, applies, and releases the brakes.