On the MM&A, locomotive handbrakes are counted as part of the securement. So when the securement is tested, the brakes have to be applied to the locomotives.
Don't apply the locomotive handbrake while performing the test?
From the STB of Canada report:
“However, if, during a hand brake effectiveness test (when applying throttle), hand brakes are also applied on the operating locomotive(s), the retarding force from the locomotive hand brakes can give the false impression that the retarding force is that of the entire train. This can result in an inaccurate effectiveness test, increasing the risk of runaways. An LE would therefore have to compensate with a greater throttle application to overcome the retarding force of the locomotive hand brakes.”
False impressions? How can you trust a handbrake effectiveness test that is capable of giving false impressions? If you are getting a false impression, you are supposed to compensate. To do that, you would have to know that you are getting a false impression. How would you know that you are getting a false impression?
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