1/8 Scale AB Brake System Set

Finally-- a complete set of AB brake components available in 1/8 (inch-and-a-half) scale!

Included in this set are:
-AB valve with attached air filter;
-Brake cylinder with separate cylinder head, separate push rod, and separate hand brake chain clevis;
-Brake reservoir formed in two halves.

This highly-accurate set of AB railroad brake components is for outdoor and live steam modeling use.  These parts are designed to be attached to models using pins provided by the modeler, utilizing the parts' realistic bolt holes-- finishing nails seem to work well for this process.  All of the components' pipe ports are included pre-formed and are scaled to prototypical standards.  An air filter comes attached to the AB valve.  Each component is meticulously modeled to scale!

The brake cylinder and brake reservoir feature keyed components so that they cannot be assembled incorrectly.

The brake cylinder features a separate push rod that can be positioned according to a model's needs.  On a real-life AB brake cylinder, an inner piston pushes this rod out in order to apply the brakes on a freight car, but the piston is not fastened to the push rod directly, allowing for an intentional level of play between the piston and push rod.  Our brake cylinder portrays the piston in its retracted, or released, position, meaning that the piston rod is not visible.  Unlike the piston rod, the push rod itself is not smoothed to a surface of polished steel, and thus the model push rod should be left in its rough, weathered state.

The recommended plastic for these brake parts is Versatile (formerly Strong and Flexible) nylon.  The grainy finish compliments the durable nature of real railroad brake equipment.

If you wish to purchase a 1/8 scale AB valve or brake cylinder separately, please find those specific product pages from our main Shapeways store page.


Note: These components will not hold air pressure and cannot be used to distribute braking forces for a freight car.  They merely look really good.