Detailed Brake Pipes BUMPER Pack - Air and Vacuum - N Gauge (for 5 Vehicles) - SET 30

Until the 1960s the majority of BR trains operated using Vacuum brakes, following which air brakes were widely introduced.

Between the 1960s and the mid 1980s it was common to see locos and rolling stock dual braked (i.e. fitted with both vacuum and air brakes). 

The use of vacuum brakes on BR was phased out during the 1980s. 

Most locomotives are fitted with air brakes having a 'two-pipe' system. A Main Reservoir Pipe (MRP) to supply air along the train, and a Brake Pipe (BP) to control the brakes. Some rolling stock however uses only a 'single-pipe' system where the Brake Pipe (BP) is also used to feed air along the train as well as control the brakes. 

This set of brake pipes is enough for both ends of ten (10) wagons or coaches, the UNPAINTED pack includes:-

10 - Air Brake Pipes (BP)
10 - Main Reservoir Pipes (MRP)
10 - Vacuum Hoses with Swan-neck and hose dummy bracket (VAC)

For two-pipe system rolling stock, fit both the (BP) red and (MRP) yellow pipes.
For rolling stock with single pipe system, just fit the (BP) red-pipe.
For vacuum braked rolling stock, fit just the vacuum pipe (the Swan-neck is normally painted red).
For dual braked rolling stock fit all the pipes.

Some unbraked wagons are fitted with a 'through' vacuum pipe, in which case fit the vac pipes but paint the swan neck white.

Note these parts are delicate and may not be suitable for use with couplings fitted, especially on tighter radius curves.

The pipes have a 0.4mm peg that can be fitted into a drilled hole in the buffer beam, alternatively the peg can be cut-off and the pipe attached with a small amount of adhesive.

The pipes are supplied unpainted on a sprue with a product protection frame, please refer to the pictures for typical colours.

Top-Tip - remove the product protection frame first, then use a light coat of white primer, and paint the pipes before removing them from the sprue.

(SET Number 30 N Gauge BUMPER Brake Pipes)