almo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> There is a thing called a deadman switch that
> makes this unbelieveable. But just in case, would
> just cutting the air from the loco to the first
> car create enough friction in the train to kill
> the speed? If not, is there another way to stop a
> train besides the way it is portrayed in the
> movie?
>
>
> almo


Deadman switches went away a long time ago, alerters are used now and the alerter reset button can actually be seen in the one shot from inside the runaway locomotive. Most all locomotives have alerters now.

Not sure what you mean by "cutting the air from the loco to the first car". An actually air hose breach would result in an emergency brake application, just cutting out or closing off the air would bottle the air and make a runaway. With an emergency brake application the locomotives would automatically drop their load and go to idle.

There is also emergency fuel cut off buttons on the side of all locomotives that will shut down the locomotive.