Questions about the emergency brake on the trains... (closing, professionals)

[NooYowkur81]

Do the newer train cars come equipped with an emergency brake? I don't believe I have noticed them in the newer trains.

What is the real purpose of the emergency brake since passengers are disencouraged from ever pulling them?

If they don't want people ever pulling them, why are they still there? Do they even work? Do people still pull them?

I guess these are all questions for Fred, lol...

I just got really curious about this during a routine train ride yesterday.

[danameless]

I think the newer trains do have them, but they are not the strings with the knob danging in the corners anymore. I think I remember seeing them behind a little door now.

Well, I'm assuming it's for emergencies, but what type of emergency do you pull it on I'm not sure?

Fred? lol

[Chava61]

If you pull an emergency brake in a non-emergency situation you will be pay a fine/penalty.

[009]

"Using the Emergency Cord

Use the emergency cord only to prevent an accident or injury. For example, if someone gets caught between closing subway car doors and is being dragged, pull the cord. But if your train is between stations and someone aboard becomes ill, do not pull the emergency cord. The train will stop, preventing medical professionals from reaching the sick passenger. A sick person is better off if the train goes to the nearest station where police and medical services will be waiting or can be quickly summoned, without interruption."

I believe the new trains have sensors to detect people who are stuck between doors and maybe the older ones that were rehabbed. If the motorman becomes incapacitated, there is a dead man switch that will activate after a several seconds of no activity on the new trains and no pressure on the depressed throttle on the older ones. So maybe it's to stop those who plan to commit suicide between the cars or just for Moderator cut: language and giggles, which in my experience happens to be the most common reason for the brakes to be activated.

[Fred314X]

They're on ALL trains, and they most certainly DO work. Basically, they cut off power. If you pull the emergency brake and it turns out that you didn't really have an emergency (two quick examples: for "fun," or because you missed your stop--which is not an emergency), then you'll be fined, don't worry about it.

They've been made a little less obvious on the new cars, mostly because nobody who works for transit appreciates people pulling the brakes just for the hell of it. Actually, unless it's a matter of immediate life or death--yours or someone else's--what you should do is tell the conductor.