However . . . there have been manually-activated power hand brakes on locomotives for several years. The crew member applying the hand brake pushes a button, the electric motor winds the brake chain to a predetermined tension, and stops. The reverse process releases the hand brake. Small lights indicate whether the hand brake is applied or released.
This feature is optional, but has been widely embraced, as it eliminates one source of employee injury. A crew member seemingly in great condition sometimes pulls a muscle when applying hand brakes. We try to educate them to stop when the tension on the brake wheel or ratchet handle indicates that the brake is snug. Some want to apply a Charles Atlas handbrake which is not only risky for them, but also for the employee who may have to overexert to release that brake. The Charles Atlas method does not apply any more securement than does a snug hand brake, in spite of the widely-held misconception that the opposite is true.
Safe securement of cars or engines left standing is very important for the safety of everyone.
