Air Line OK

Morning light pierced the gap in the timber siding door. I unhitched the canvas baffle, rolled the fabric taut, and secured it to my harness loop. Footing verified across the threshold: dry, stable. I stepped out onto the iron end sill to survey the junction between cars. Suspended above the rusted drawbar hung an intact rubber air brake hose, ending in a cast-iron gladhand coupling. Step one: verify gasket seating. Bracing my boots against the iron platform, I gripped the heavy coupling with both gauntlets. The interior rubber ring was stiffened by cold but free of radial tears. I wiped away surface grime with my thumb. Flange seated flush. Line secured.