vacuum brake

noun

1. a brake system, used on British and many overseas railways, in which the brake is held off by a vacuum on one side of the brake-operating cylinder. If the vacuum is destroyed by controlled leakage of air or a disruptive emergency, the brake is applied. It is now largely superseded by the Westinghouse brake system

Example Sentences

In the 1886 tests there were five competitors—three buffer-brakes, one compressed-air brake, and one vacuum-brake.

From Project Gutenberg

So he traveled with the guard, chained to the vacuum brake, and shared that kindly official's dinner.

From Project Gutenberg

For a time a vacuum brake, which utilized atmospheric pressure, offered keen rivalry.

From Project Gutenberg