CAST BRAKE BLOCKS

I am happy to supply the former Yorkshire Engine range of brake blocks for both Heritage and Industrial railway use.

The 'trouble' with cast blocks today is that so much is re-melted in the foundry industry that even the British Standards do not define what goes in, merely the resulting characteristics of the cast material – characteristics that you may not find out until the block wears away rapidly in service.

My blocks however are produced in two grades from quality controlled foundries to ensure consistent quality and good wear, in accordance with research work undertaken by BISRA. A locomotive tyre will work-harden in service - typically by 25 Brinell – and obviously a block that is harder than the tyre will wear the tyre rather than the block, but one that is too soft merely wears away and needs replacing.

Soft Grade Blocks 180-200 Brinell

Thus I supply “soft grade” blocks – which will be in the range 180-200 Brinell (as with all hand cast blocks, the outer skin cools on contact with the sand and will therefore be at the higher end of the range, with material further in being toward the lower end) and are thus best-suited for locomotives that have just been re-profiled or re-tyred.

Hard Grade Blocks 220-240 Brinell

My “Hard grade” blocks are in the range 220-240 Brinell and will therefore give a longer life with tyres that have already work-hardened.

Installation

All my blocks are normally supplied drilled, ready for installation. I will advise at ordering the standard drilling - if this is not what you require you must let me know in good time to ensure the correct hole sizes.

Slipper Blocks

Slipper blocks - i.e. those retained in a carrier by a key through a steel loop cast in the block – require mechanised casting and in consequence are not supplied by me, but I can often supply composite equivalents.