HO KC (Combined K Brake) Air Brake System Kit

This product page sells KC (combined K brake) air brake systems only.  KD (divided or "split" K brake) air brake systems can be found on their own separate product page via our main Shapeways store page.

This product is available in two sprue sizes, which can be selected from the menu to the right.  The "small" size includes 2 complete KC brake system sprues; the "large" size includes 4 complete KC brake system sprues.​  A small hobby blade and a file or sanding stick will be required to separate parts from their sprues and to clean up the edges.

- - -

We are very pleased to announce a line of K brake systems on par with our famous AB brake systems!  Included in each KC (combined K brake) air brake system sprue is:

-Combined K brake cylinder/reservoir/control valve with attached piston rod, B-end brake lever, and lever hangers;
-A-end brake lever with attached lever hanger and pivot bracket.

Regrettably, due to the non-standardized ways that they were incorporated into real K brake systems, an air filter couldn't be included in this sprue.  But... they're really tiny, anyway, right...?

Multiple sprues are included according to size selected before purchase!

BACKGROUND

Although it was superseded by the AB brake as the standard American freight car brake in 1933, and finally outlawed from interchange service in the early 1950s, the K brake was the air brake design that transitioned American freight trains into the airbrake era starting in the late 19th Century and remained king for close to half a century.  Even in the later decades of the 20th Century, the trusty old K brake could still be found on elderly work train cars that never left home rails.

THE KIT/INSTALLATION

Just like our AB brake systems, this KC brake system is modeled after real drawings, not parts previously produced by other model companies.  All of the dimensions and shapes are exactly crafted.  Best of all, there are no San-Andreas-level casting lines running through them!

With only two components on each sprue, our KC brake system is one of our easiest products to install yet.  Brake levers and hangers are included as pre-formed assemblies, resulting in a bare minimum of small parts to fumble.  The combined KC brake unit and all of the brake levers feature pre-formed holes for the easy installation of wire pipes and brake rods as supplied by the modeler (0.012 or 0.0125 rodding is recommended).

The B-end brake cylinder lever features a realistic printed clasp for the installation of a metal hook and handbrake chain, but it also features a hole behind that clasp for modelers interested in an even more secure attachment point.

All of the parts feature mounting pins designed for #80 drill holes.  The pins can be easily cut away if a flat mounting surface is desired instead.

MISCELLANY

Because the brake levers and hangers are made to railroad industry standards, they will fit almost any center sill without modification-- we've tried them successfully on cars from many manufacturers (Tichy center sills run a bit narrower than most, but our brakes will still fit).  However, please note that our brake levers are not made to fit "fishbelly" center sills-- although they can be made to work with a bit of modification.

The brake systems are delivered in sprues that form a cage around all of the parts to protect them during shipping.  Care must be taken in cutting away the cage and removing parts from the sprues-- please separate one part at a time from the cage before removing the direct sprue connections.  See illustrations above.

As always, use caution when using hobby blades to cut through plastic parts.  Enjoy your time modeling!