I think some of you are under the impression that the locomotive’s brakes are used to slow and stop a train. In the case of a diesel with dynamic brakes, this is true. However, on a steam locomotive, the locomotive’s brakes are NEVER used when braking a train. When a steam locomotive is powering the train, the brakes on the cars are used to slow and stop a train.
The locomotive brake (the Independent Brake) on a steam locomotive is not used when moving because of the heat generated between the brake shoes and the tires. If the tires are heated too much, they could expand enough to get loose and come off. That’s obviously a bad situation!
Adding a second steam locomotive to a train adds nothing in terms of available braking power.
