Brake Cutout

Brake cutout is a valve most motorized rail vehicles come equipped with, that cuts their train brake control valve from the rest of the train. This valve is typically located under the train brake control device, in the vehicle's cab .

The brake cutout valves are there to ensure that, in a train with many motorized vehicles, only one train brake control device is enabled. If there were multiple, conflicts would occur, potentially resulting in dysfunctional brakes and a disaster.

When the train brake is cut out on a vehicle, its control device is no longer functional. However, the vehicle is still able to brake, as controlled by another vehicle's train brake.

The cutout valve only affects the train brake control device, but other brake types, such as independent , can still be used freely.