[Lonesome in Massachussets]

It does seem that applying the brakes was mistake. I thought, though, that the freight car’s air brakes would automatically engage when they were disconnected from the train, like a semi-truck.

[Fester Chugabrew]

It does seem that applying the brakes was mistake.

I think the brakes will apply automatically if there is a break in the air line. But . . . yeah, this is a case where that feature may have been detrimental.

[downwdims]

They do, but it takes forever to stop. Think about the resistance of metal wheel on metal track (and the higher inertia) vs rubber on concrete