Apparatus and method for operating a take-up mechanism in a locomotive braking system

An apparatus for operating a take-up mechanism, comprising:

• a. a gear;
• b. a motor configured for engagement with said gear;
• c. a manual input shaft configured for engagement with said gear;
• d. a plate between said manual input shaft and said gear, said plate being configured to transfer rotation and torque from said manual input shaft to said gear;
• e. a first mode of operation in which said gear transmits rotation from said motor;
• f. a second mode of operation in which said gear transmits rotation from said manual input shaft;
• and
• g. wherein said motor is continuously engaged with said gear during said second mode of operation when setting and releasing the take-up mechanism.

A method for operating a take-up mechanism in a locomotive braking system, comprising:

• a. energizing a motor connected to a gear to rotate said gear to set the take-up mechanism in a first mode of operation;
• b. manually rotating a manual input shaft connected to said gear to set and release the take-up mechanism in a second mode of operation;
• and
• c. maintaining a continuous connection between said motor and said gear during said second mode of operation.