Railway maintenance depots use compressed air for brake testing, door operation, cleaning, sanding systems and pneumatic tools. The air must be dry and reliable, because brake and door systems are safety-critical.
Key applications
- Brake system testing and charging
- Train door and pantograph operation
- Cleaning and blow-off of underframe and bogies
- Pneumatic tools and workshop equipment
Air quality
Brake and control air must be very dry to prevent freezing and corrosion in the train systems, so depots use adsorption dryers and filtration. General tool air needs drying and filtration, but not the same dew point as the safety systems.
System design
Provide a dedicated dry air supply for brake testing, with redundancy so safety checks are never delayed. Size the network for simultaneous train servicing, use flexible connections at platforms, and monitor dew point and pressure continuously.