Train Brake

Train brake is a braking system type designed as the primary method to stop, or slow down, entire trains .

A lot of braking force is needed to stop a train, so each individual vehicle in a train is equipped with compressed air brakes , which allow synchronous mechanical brake application throughout the entire train.

Train brake is applied by a control device found in motorized rail vehicles . Train brake application functions by getting air dumped from the brake pipe to the atmosphere. This makes auxiliary reservoirs feed their stored pressure to brake cylinders , pressing brake shoes against the wheels and braking the train.

The same control device is used to release train brakes. Release functions by the brake pipe getting pressurized by main reservoir . The auxiliary reservoirs then recharge from the pipe and no longer feed the brake cylinders, depressing the brake shoes from the wheels and no longer braking the train.

If there are multiple motorized vehicles in a train, make sure to cut in only one control device.

Train brake should be used when a train contains cars . If the train only contains motorized vehicles, whether it a single one, or many in multiple-unit configuration , using the independent brake is a more responsive option.

To aid the train brakes and prevent brake shoes from overheating , some motorized vehicles are equipped with dynamic brakes , too.