Block and tackle rope through the block. The snatch block is also the load lifting pulley in certain arrangements. Block and tackle A block and tackle is a system of two or more pulleys with a rope or cable threaded between them, usually used to lift heavy loads. The pulleys are assembled together to form blocks and then blocks are paired so that one is fixed and one moves with the load. The rope is threaded through the pulleys to provide mechanical advantage that amplifies the force applied to the rope. Hero of Alexandria described cranes formed from assemblies of pulleys in the
Electro-pneumatic brake system on British railway trains thereby activating the disc brake. The "presence" of the voltage holds the brakes "off", providing a Fail Safe system. The 3 step "Westcode" brake uses three wires and these operate in a binary sequence to control the brake step. 10 & 11 are the brake coding to provide the 3 steps, 12 wire is emergency brake, 15 wire is EP brake negative. Positions on the brake handle are: This system remains in use today. On the previous EP brake systems, if the train divided or a serious air leak occurred the drop in Brake Pipe pressure automatically caused the brakes