AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices

04/2008
Locomotives and Locomotive Interchange Equipment
RP-546 PART 3

Part 3

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR MAIN RESERVOIR SYSTEM ON NEW AND

REBUILT DIESEL-ELECTRIC, ELECTRIC, AND GAS TURBINE
LOCOMOTIVES OF 800-HP CAPACITY AND GREATER

Recommended Practice
RP-546
Adopted: 1957; Revised: 1994, 2001
1.0 SCOPE
This recommended practice describes the minimum requirements for main reservoir air systems
on diesel-electric, electric, and gas turbine locomotives of 800-hp capacity and greater.
2.0 Air compressors shall be located in the coolest possible surroundings and shall be provided
with intercoolers of ample cooling capacity and minimum internal resistance to air flow. Adequate
louvres with filters shall be provided near the compressor unrestricted for air flow to compressor
intake filters.
3.0 Air compressor crankcase oil level indicators shall be so arranged that accurate readings can
be obtained with the compressor running.
4.0 Air compressor crankcase filling arrangement shall be such that it will be impossible to
overfill the crankcase.
5.0 Air compressor discharge connection shall be a four-bolt flanged type suitable for a minimum
of 2-in. IPS pipe.
6.0 Air compressor discharge safety valve, where used, shall be located so that a pipe tee to it is
4 ft to 6 ft from compressor discharge. The branch pipe from a tee to a safety valve is to be in a
vertical position, 12 in. to 18 in. long and not less than 1 1/4 in. IPS.
7.0 Compressors on locomotives arranged for multiple compressor operation shall be
synchronized.
8.0 Each air compressor shall be provided with not less than 60 ft of 2-in. IPS pipe or equivalent
between the compressor discharge and No. 1 main reservoir. Pipe shall be arranged to drain into
the No. 1 main reservoir or sump and shall be located on the roof or a place where it can readily
dissipate heat without accumulating a coating of dirt and grease. Where the return of the
radiating pipe passes through the engine room, it shall be well insulated.
9.0 The sump or No. 1 main reservoir receiving discharge from cooling coils shall be located
where it will not absorb engine room heat.
10.0 The No. 1 and No. 2 main reservoirs shall be connected with a minimum length of pipe of not
less than 1 1/2-in. IPS.
11.0 The main reservoir safety valve is to be located adjacent to the discharge end of the No. 1
main reservoir. When the safety valve is mounted on a branch pipe, the pipe is to be not less than
1 1/4-in. IPS, and the length is to not exceed 6 ft.
12.0 Each main reservoir, sump, air filter, intercooler, and dirt collector used in the main
reservoir radiation and air brake systems is to include manual drain cocks protected against
damage. No syphon drain arrangements are to be used.
13.0 The No. 1 main reservoirs (or main discharge sump) are to be provided with automatic drain
valves so located to maintain elimination of condensate and oil at all times.
14.0 No less than 6 in. of outlet pipe shall extend inside the No. 1 main reservoir.

04/2008 M [RP-546] 275

 AAR Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices
04/2008
Locomotives and Locomotive Interchange Equipment
PART 3 RP-546

1 ½" PIPE B
2" DISCHARGE PIPE

COMPRESSOR MANUAL OVERRIDE

SOLENOID VALVE
OPTIONAL AUXILIARY AIR FILTER
FLANGE COUPLINGS TO PERMIT EASY
REMOVAL OF RADIATION PIPING FOR CLEANING 1 ¼" PIPE

150 LB. SAFETY VALVE

NO. 1 RESERVOIR 2" PIPE 824 FILTER OR EQUIV.
2" PIPE

C D 1" PIPE 1" PIPE

VENTED TO AUXILIARY DEVICES,
1" MAIN RESERVOIR C.O.C. END HORN, SANDING, WINDOW
VENTED END CHECK VALVE WIPERS, TOILET,
WATER COOLER, ETC.
NO. 2
TO BELL SHUTTER SOLENOID MAIN RESERVOIR E
TO AIR BRAKE
EQUIPMENT 1" PIPE 1" PIPE
1 ¼" PIPE
CHECK VALVE
F 1 ¼" MAIN RESERVOIR EQUALIZING PIPE WITH 1" SIDE
CONTROL AIR RESERVOIR G H
VENT CUT OUT COCKS AND 1" HOSE HAVING "L" TYPE
IF REQUIRED PER RULE 205(a) 1" COUPLINGS. (TWO OUTLETS ON END OF LOCOMOTIVE)
SIDE VENT IN 1" M.R. C.O.C. IN EQUALIZING PIPE (OPTIONAL).
Fig. 14.1 Main reservoir and radiation system for locomotives

A Optional safety valve located in vertical 1 1/2-in. pipe, 12 in. to 18 in. long with pipe tee located 4 ft to 6 ft from compressor.
B Unit equipped with dual-control, compressor governor control switch with solenoid. Switch to be panel-mounted and to
include quick disconnect piping and wiring, gauge, and test connection.
C Not less than 60 ft of 2-in. radiation piping to be sloped to drain into No. 1 main reservoir. Piping should be under running
board and must have a free sweep of cooling air. Provide sufficient openings in running board to ensure adequate air
circulation. Open-type grating is suitable for this.
D Automatic drain valve combined with manual drain valve to be readily accessible for convenient draining.
E Check valve optional, as specified by purchaser. To be provided with 5/16-in. orifice.
Alternate: C-1 main reservoir cut-off valve set at 75 psi to 85 psi.
F Manual drain valve reservoir to be readily accessible for convenient draining.
G Brake equipment filter should be moisture-collecting type. To be approved by the AAR Brake Committee. To be equipped
with automatic and manual drain valves. Capacity to equal or exceed New York Air Brake (NYAB) or WABCO Type Hor
Salem 824 filters.
H Automatic drain valve combined with manual drain valve to be readily accessible for convenient draining.
General Notes
1. All main reservoirs are to be sloped towards drain valve end, not less than 1/4 in./ft, to ensure drainage. Main reservoirs to
be free of any interior obstruction that can act as dams and prevent complete drainage. Air reservoirs with tell-tale drilling may
be located inside or outside. Location on roof should be avoided because of solar radiation. Reservoirs, whether inside or
outside, should have free sweep of outside ambient air.
2. Pipe system to have minimum number of bends and fittings. All pipes to be bent after fittings are applied by welding.
3. Threaded fittings are to be avoided if possible. Use bends, welded fittings, and/or flange fittings. Welded fittings are to be
butt-welded process, with argon/CO2 75/25 shielding gas, wire 0.030 in., Linde '65 or equivalent.
4. Exhaust from main reservoir drain valves to be deflected and directed toward center of track so as to not create a safety haz-
ard or raise dust that might interfere with train viewing en route.
5. Tell-tale holes to be drilled in main reservoir per Rules for Inspecting and Testing Locomotives Other Than Steam, Rule 206
(c), Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, Ex Parte 243.
M [RP-546] 276 04/2008