The brakes are essentially operated by the driver. Depending on the train, there may be a separate handle for acceleration and a separate handle for braking, or they may be combined into one handle. In addition, the conductor also has a means of activating the brakes. In the past, passenger cars had a “conductor valve,” which, when activated, released compressed air from the brake pipes and activated the brakes. However, not all cars were equipped with this system, and some cars had a conductor’s valve while others did not. Even today, a switch with a similar function is usually installed in the driver’s cab (which is the conductor’s stationary position when he turns to the rear). This is so that the conductor can stop the train in a hurry if he sees an emergency or receives a call. In some cases, however, a conductor’s valve is installed in a place where passengers can see it. Of course, this is a type of equipment that should not be operated unnecessarily in the absence of an emergency situation. Another example of brake-related equipment sitting where passengers can see it is the hand brake. This is a circular handle that is turned in a circular motion by hand to apply the brakes. This is not normally used while the train is running. Nowadays, they seem to have a preliminary existence, and their main use seems to be to prevent rolling when the vehicle is detained, in essence, as a parking brake. In Japan, you rarely see these brakes unless the vehicle is an older model built before the 1980s.
© Source travel watch
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