Releasing Hand Brakes

Rotate the brake wheel clockwise until slack is taken up. Turn the wheel until

chain tension is sufficient.

To prevent movement, ensure railcars are properly chocked.

(4) Releasing Hand Brakes. Observe the following procedures when releasing hand

brakes:

The hand brakes on a car or cut of cars shall not be released until a coupling

has been successfully made, the air hoses have been coupled, and the brake

systems have been fully charged.

When in the correct stance and braced for any sudden movement of the hand

brake wheel, throw the release lever into the off position. Many brakes are

equipped with a quick release feature, which will be enough to release the

brake. Other hand brakes require turning the wheel counterclockwise to

gradually release them.

Always keep hands and arms free of the wheel's spokes. Some models spin

when released, and could cause injury.

Most hand brakes require the use of only one hand to release. If a brake has

been set too tight to be released with one hand, get some help.

(5) Chocking. Observe the following when chocking railcars and locomotives:

Hand brakes and chocking go hand in hand: one shall not be substituted for

the other.

When a single railcar is spotted or parked, the hand brake shall be set and

chocked on both sides of the same wheel.

When a cut of railcars is spotted or parked on a downgrade, the hand brakes

on the lead car on the downgrade end shall be set. This car shall also be

chocked on both sides of the same wheel.

When a cut of cars is spotted or parked on a crest (double downgrade), the

hand brakes on each end of the cut shall be set. The cars on each end of the

cut shall be chocked.

In addition to chocking the lead car on a downgrade, a sufficient number of

cars shall also be chocked.

Rail crews shall consider chocking additional cars to prevent movement.

Railcars are improperly chocked if movement in either direction is possible.

3 - 9