Handbrake

All rail vehicles come equipped with a handbrake, typically operated manually, by one or more yellow cranks. Handbrakes are used to override the brake shoes to a desired braking force, regardless of the compressed air brake's input. Because they’re not operated by air pressure, handbrakes are immune to leaks in the system and therefore have permanent effect. They are used on parked vehicles to ensure that they remain still.

All handbrakes must be released before setting a train in motion and must be applied before leaving a vehicle parked. To release a handbrake crank it fully counterclockwise, and to apply it, crank it fully clockwise.

To help increase productivity in level yards , it is allowed to apply the handbrake only on a single unit of a train, on one of its ends. In all other scenarios, handbrakes should be applied on each individual unit in a parked train.

Depending on difficulty settings , when coupling and uncoupling using the locomotive remote controller , handbrakes are automatically handled. Holding the run key (default Left Shift) while coupling or uncoupling this way bypasses this automatic action.

Handbrakes can also be operated remotely using the driving UI, or even handled automatically at all times, depending on the difficulty settings.