Abstract: A valve block for glassware forming machines is rendered faster and more accurate by substituting, for the pilot air system, a plurality of solenoids directly coupled with the cartridge valves which handle the operational air, the major part of the bodies of said solenoids being arranged across the main operational air feed manifold to be cooled by the air passing therethrough, a closed chamber around the upwardly projecting ends of said solenoid valves, means for passing cooling air through said chamber, a plate for closing the lower ends of said valve chambers, and a plurality of manually actuatable push buttons in said lower plate to permit manual actuation of said cartridge valves. In order to facilitate removal of the cartridge valves for maintenance purposes, said valves are modified by removing the wider portion of their bodies and providing a section in the valve chamber of smaller diameter to engage the end plunger portion of the valve member.