What happens when a train's emergency brakes are activated?

There are multiple ways a train's emergency brakes can be activated. Find out more about how and why they are important in keeping riders safe.

[@TrainsurfingMayhem]

1:04 "I'm a train" wise words from the godly R160

[@Truly_Nexus]

ah yes! I love taking J train to "I'm a train" most underrated station!!!

[@thoseonetrains]

R160 A confirmed

[@ItzYaboiTristanYT]

mta had enough with people pulling the cord 💀

[@adriancooper78]

Yep.

[@MForrester]

... still happening....now more than ever

[@dxtxzbunchanumbers]

This is why the runaway train scene in Spider-Man 2 always ticked me off. Spider-Man didn't need to nearly die, someone just had to pull the emergency brake! That's without mentioning subway trains are built around "dead-man" brakes -the train only moves so long as the driver's actively at the controls.

[@adriancooper78]

There are no steering wheels in the train therefore the train really isn't driven it's operated. Also the 'dead man' switch is called the master controller. This is used to both propel and bring the train to a controlled stop.

[@maiki5962]

​@@adriancooper78 True, but it doesn't eliminate the fact that the main commenter is 100% correct.

[@adriancooper78]

@@maiki5962 It is? No, it not! Trains are not driven they are propelled They can not avoid obstacles on the track by the train operator steering or driving around them!! Who knows more about the operation of a train? A train enthusiast or a train operator? You inform me and I'll will listen.

[@maiki5962]

@@adriancooper78 Trains without rails are driven. So, saying "trains aren't driven" is a fallacy. "All crows are black".

[@adriancooper78]

@@maiki5962 From source of knowledge are you speaking from?!! Again does the rail enthusiast have equal knowledge to the train operator? I will question you and you inform me! There are no steering wheels on a subway train. A train operator can not turn the train to the left or to the right or turn to avoid an obstacle on the tracks. Question: In the R-142a subway train what is the name of the system that causes the train to move? 'This is train operation 101' If you can answer this question and you'll have the answers to what moves all trains

[@tntcreeper6305]

Who threw a deflated basketball on the tracks☠️☠️

[@Affixton96]

The basketball had air in it before the train hit it. It deflated off camera.

[@Fowlware]

Still, how the fuck did it get there in the middle of a likely long tunnel

[@ItzYaboiTristanYT]

@@Fowlware mb i wan playing ball

[@jjason0408]

💀💀💀

[@adriancooper78]

​@@Fowlware Some silly kid dropped it on the tracks after bouncing it on a platform. A place where they shouldn't be playing any type of ball.

[@CriminalCaterpillar]

“I’m a train” 😂 thanks train!

[@zycklacon9588]

I’m glad the train actually looks accurate this time

[@Noldcat-j1m]

what was the other time?

[@aqua2poweros699]

“I’M A TRAIN”

[@lopwr1212]

​@@Noldcat-j1ma fkng block on wheels

[@juoig7799]

In the UK, the emergency alarms on trains used to be connected to the emergency braking system. However, now, they set off an alarm in the cab. The driver will press a button which will activate the intercom, where a passenger could talk to the driver and describe the emergency. If the driver does not dismiss the alarm within about ten seconds, the emergency brakes apply. The emergency brakes can also be triggered if a driver doesn't dismiss the AWS horn in time. The AWS is an alarm that is triggered when the train goes over a test magnet or over a treadle when the next signal is yellow or red. Or if a driver passes a signal at danger (red). This is called a SPAD.

[@adriancooper78]

Nice !!! The emergency intercom is similar to what is on the technology train that the MTA in New York has.

[@DMVRailfan]

For those confused, a SPAD is Signal Passed At Danger.

[@captainkeyboard1007]

The intercom system is installed in railcars on the Washington Metro. Also, this feature is available in some modern rapid transit system railcars. Fortunately, the emergency brake cord is omitted.

[@DMVRailfan]

@@captainkeyboard1007 Aware, I use the system a lot. It’s a good idea to have one of those.

[@captainkeyboard1007]

@@adriancooper78Also, such signalling system is used by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).

[@athanalconcel9083]

"WHO IN THE BLAZES APPLIED THAT EMERGENCY BRAKE?!" - Tom Hanks, 2004

[@Zadieandsonic]

He did! - nerd kid

[@osagiee.guobadia-secondytc4624]

Thanks for a PSA video about emergency brakes, MTA. : )

[@Dezlite]

This video should be played in NYC High Schools for teenagers who just can't get their hands off the emergency cord...

[@adriancooper78]

Not a good idea because they'll think it's a game pulling the cord all the time, just like they do when they keep putting their hands in the sensor the of the back door of the bus to keep the back door open.

[@Dezlite]

@@adriancooper78 But thats the thing, they ALREADY think it's a game, so that's why I think they should be watching the video

[@adriancooper78]

​@@Dezlite You have to know the nature of people this is actually showing them how to do it. Sadly you have to show teenage these days with angry passengers!!! When the trains are delayed because if this and they are trapped in a crowded train with a lot of angry people they will get the message very quickly that they shouldn't have pulled the cord.

[@stevegn02]

@@adriancooper78 i agree with the man who stabbed the teen but I don't condone the violence but he had it coming why would you activate the emergency brake if there is no danger it's not funny it's stupid and dangerous what they don't tell you is that sometime they have trains back to back and if that train cannot stop in time it's possible there is a derailment and injuries

[@odemata87]

Videos like this should be as it is a public advisement period. The more general public is made aware of what entails activating the emergency brake the better we can assume better discernment in it's use for I'm sure there are many opportunities when it's use could have been made so due to those being unaware

[@Bennett1430]

I've had the pleasure of informing my customers that we were delayed because a lady on the train in front of us pulled the cord because the train was taking to long to get to her stop.

[@theofficial1train]

Me: riding the (6) train in peace Train: HISSSSSSS

[@adriancooper78]

Releasing the Brakes. Hssssssssssss

[@flyicestormpluto]

Great video on the use of emergency brakes! I learned something new today

[@BJMediaTransit8516]

On October 29th of 2023, I was in R46 train car #5611 on the N train southbound and when stopping at 23rd Street, the train doors closed on someone’s dog and then the train was moving. Everyone was panicking and screaming “blood” and then I pounced out of my seat and pulled the train’s emergency brake to stop the train to alert the conductor. I almost thought it was a person’s arm caught in that door but it was someone’s dog caught in the door that everyone panicked about. Because the train had no intercoms to reach the conductor with, I had no choice but to use the emergency brake and sure enough the conductor responded ASAP to the situation. The delay lasted a total of 11 minutes.

[@spiceyroses]

poor dog

[@BJMediaTransit8516]

@@spiceyroses I’m glad I did whatever I can to settle that incident and to get a conductor to respond as soon as possible.

[@meli4157cozy]

Was the dog okay?

[@nascarandjeff123]

Should have used the scene from Taking of Pelham 123 where the E brakes were tripped by the signal on the track to stop the runaway train haha.

[@nyctransitrailfan]

I wonder if that’ll work in real life 😂

[@samuelitooooo]

lol. Lurch Avenue. Clever. XD

[@Civ6Iron4]

My teacher once made a joke if the student farted in the train, people would then pull the Emergency Brake

[@Andres-ko2hc]

The only time I was on a train when the emergency brakes was activated was July 2022, I was on G train to Flushing ave and when my the car got to 21st in Queens, my head got hit onto the cab door but I luckily didn't fell down and I was glad I wasn't bleeding. I was all good

[@transitimprover]

I always wondered what it would be like to be on a train with emergency brake applied, but it’s never worth figuring out yourself

[@413smr]

It stops short. I pulled the brake once decades ago, when some punks were chasing a guy through the car.

[@adriancooper78]

​​@@413smr Train crew has to investigate and the train is delayed!!!

[@stevegn02]

I know you got a good heart but you can always use the emergency intercom I know back then they didn't have one but now the trains are equipped with emergency intercoms that connects to the Conductors or train operator and they can inform the RCC where the train is and get police en route if it safe to do so they will continue in passenger service so police can meet the train if there transit police close by and they let the rail control Center know they will respond the train operator is instructed to stop and stay there for transit police if not the train will continue signaling for police to respond

[@nelliefrancis4041]

It stops short extremely quickly. Not pleasant.

[@Bobby_Duku]

It feels like its stopping but with much force with it.

[@keitho.sylvan1137]

MTA just had gotten sick of the brakes being pulled by people.

[@adriancooper78]

Seriously, the MTA needed to admonish the. General Public about putting themselves or any objects in the path of an oncoming train!!

[@STCountryballs]

Also, something that has to do with the tripping device, it can be activated in dangerous situations. For example, a red light (train ahead), or excessive speed (if you have a special type of security system for this). Each traffic light has a lever that goes up in red, causing the emergency brake to be activated, and goes down in green, where the train has a clear path.

[@herazka]

Casey Neistat's “first” video brought here. 0:59 : Do you got that sentence from him?

[@captainkeyboard1007]

The only legitimate reason a passenger should pull the emergency brakes is if a person is being entrapped in the car doors or if smoke or fire breaks out inside the railcar. Otherwise, all other problems can wait until the train stops at the next station. Then, it will be safe for passengers to escape the affected car and step on the station platform which will be safe.

[@angryretailbanker5103]

“The conductors are always communicating with you the situation.” Well that’s a lie if I ever heard one.

[@DANNYN224]

Great video

[@alvit123]

0:23 "a train Operator will typically apply the automatic brake into emergency if He spots something in front of His train" at 0:30 You can see that the automatic brake was already in Emergency !!! if the Operator pulls the automatic brake towards Him He's actually releasing the automatic brake and when the train operator pushes the automatic brake all the way forward that's when He applies the automatic brake into "emergency"

[@MrJimmy-fl2bn]

What if you know of someone riding on the outside of the subway? Should you pull the emergency handle outside the station?

[@MForrester]

.... presents imminent danger to life or limb....

[@LegendaryRadioJock]

I've never seen any track devices that would trigger the brakes in the USA at least. The video alsomissed the fact that emergency brakes automatically activate due to train separation.

[@sheldonhchambliss1385]

Wonderful video

[@stellarisnerd8787]

Fascinating...

[@seprishere]

Isn't the rule "the train will stop if any part of the train is in a station, otherwise the train will continue to the next station where help can more easily be given"? That is the London Underground rule which has been in place for decades.

[@28fpsclips]

this reminded me of the time i was on an train and one of the doors broke off

[@Thermospon]

HUH

[@Thermospon]

Was it a r179

[@28fpsclips]

@@Thermospon i think it was a r142A or probally a r179

[@copbaguet]

0:36 by the way a train could never ever EVER stop that fast, i study trains and it can take up to 3 minutes for a train to stop even using emergency brakes.

[@TransitIslandExtras]

it slows down like a roblox train or like a openBVE train, which has slow braking.

[@subwayfanminecrafttrainmta273]

There also can be emg breaks when a overshoot station

[@TX_Railfanner]

How a train brake works: Air is pumped into air tanks as brakes are applied air realeases forcing the brakes on if all air is dump brakes will be on as hard as possible

[@A350-2]

1:06 Singapore MRT North East MRt it shakes violently everytime it goes from Punggol to senkang or senkang to Punggol

[@SamsungGalaxyS5OTH]

I have a question If there's a object on the tracks for example, if there's a very bad area up ahead on the SIR, if a person pulled the emergency brake before the collision of the object and the train, would this be safe?

[@madeleinerumely3582]

Love you mtainfo. Good video.

[@copbaguet]

and the driver of the train is called "engineer' its on wikipedia

[@jonathonshanecrawford1840]

Also Sydney and Melbourne use the same "trip" system as NYC, but up sized! Also regarding the last part (Emergency tip lever) what is the history?

[@darkwoodmovies]

Why are there even emergency brakes inside the cars? Like in what situation would a passenger know it's appropriate to stop the train where the driver doesn't? Like there's already the emergency intercom, seems like that should be enough?

[@panasonleksakul6776]

It stops immediately?

[@roachtoasties]

I don't think the emergency handle in the trains in L.A. do anything. I've seen passengers pull the ones near the doors all the time. They might need to push them back in while at the station, but they don't stop the trains.

[@c.mvrdaaa]

once i was on the 3 train late at night ofc and a crackhead kills himself by jumping off in between the carts and his body caused the emergency brake to be tripped so you never know what is gonna happen

[@Terminator590]

Ive been to “lurch ave” before

[@Bri_NYC]

And it’s a R160 seimens , that makes it more funny 😂

[@ishankamat123]

wow, incredible

[@adriancooper78]

And that's just one system of the train. So imagine the intense training and the knowledge that a train operator has. What controls the doors, what controls the lights, what controls the air conditioning...... It goes on and on

[@jaydottt_transitfanner]

@@adriancooper78 it's not an airplane cockpit, there's really not much to a subway train. especially the older ones

[@adriancooper78]

@@jaydottt_transitfanner Really? Can you tell me the 3 way a subway train is connected?

[@jaydottt_transitfanner]

@@adriancooper78 What

[@adriancooper78]

@@jaydottt_transitfanner That's a simple question that all trrain operators know and that most rail enthusiast or rail fan-atics know. You did make the statement that operating a train is not as complicated as operating a plane. Again please: In what 3 ways is a subway train connected? It's ok if you don't know that answer, you can always ask a train operator😊

[@mikec.8556]

Why dothe MTA Drs always find something medically wrong with people looking for employment ? Ask you to see your pcp then disagree with your pcp when they say nothing is wrong with you

[@Engineer9736]

So during a casual NYC gunfight you shouldn't pull the ebrake

[@legomta-munipalssubways2762]

An R179 C train that got it's brakes activated because of an Umbrella.

[@stevegn02]

it hit the wheel triggering the emergency Brakes

[@legomta-munipalssubways2762]

@@stevegn02 yep

[@Dezlite]

Whoever put that umbrella there should write an apology letter to the MTA, and they should be forced to read it while being broadcasted live on social media by the MTA

[@stevegn02]

@@Dezlite it could just be an accident no need to go that hard accidents happen it could have fallen out of the their hands and could have landed near the running rail

[@Dezlite]

@@stevegn02 I was kidding lol, I exaggerated it by a lot

[@railfanssm8672]

When you apply the brakes a train should and will stop.

[@MForrester]

The audio of this video needs to be uploaded to Automated Announcement System on the trains, and should be played if a Train Operator has to descend to the roadbed to do an inspection. 285003

[@SumiTheTransitFan]

Theres actually a number 4, CONQUESTORS.

[@A350-2]

What about Singapore MRT

[@tonynelson2443]

Number 3 is a joke, I heard a story where a Q train hit a guy going through those Brighton line tunnels in Brooklyn, it didn’t trip the brakes until the 6th car went over him.

[@this51man]

It happens like that sometimes. I hit a bucket and it tripped under the 4th car of my train

[@Andres-ko2hc]

Happen to me on the G train to Flushing ave. I was on the first car of the G train and when the fist car went in, the brakes got activated and it cause me to hit my head on the cab door. THAT EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS HARD ON THAT R160 G train back in July 2022

[@BJMediaTransit8516]

What borough is the Lurch Avenue Station on the J line in?

[@fazetraincultofficial9201]

I actually found 9590 when I was going to school

[@jonathonshanecrawford1840]

NYC trains are the same in almost every way like Australian trains _(Sydney and Melbourne)_ but the Trip lever is on the left of the train and Sydney trains are double decker! I believe this idea _(Automatic Emergency)_ was because many years ago a NYC train ran a stop signal and crashed in to another train, before that they used air pressure to apply the brakes, since the crash, they reversed the braking system (emergency) that air keeps the brakes off! *FAIL SAFE*

[@Zekesdad2345channel2]

Basketball in the tunnel 💀

[@tdadp]

What about then run the red light & trips the brake ?

[@Thermospon]

I NEED THESE 3D MODELS PLESE

[@CalebAlsay]

That is at new York City

[@darvy1288]

Ayo a ball on the tracks

[@darvy1288]

No swearing/cussing/cursing whatever you call it in this comment

[@acebreaker4283]

Teens should STOP pulling the emergency brake for fun

[@itsbenji_124]

They definitely posted this because of what happened at bowling green.

[@TrainsurfingMayhem]

what happened at bowling green?

[@jaydottt_transitfanner]

@@TrainsurfingMayhem THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHAT DO YOU THINK

[@thebrooklynrailfanner]

That like good thing not to pull the emergency brake on the train cuse ik some people do that on the station or when the train moveing they shoun't not do that

[@adriancooper78]

YEP!!!!!👍

[@jonathonshanecrawford1840]

Your NYC trains are Fail Safe, not like other trains! Why would any one go backwards?

[@vdm5873]

Casey did it before the actual MTA

[@Thatrailfanner]

Bro one time I was on a high school field trip and one of my friends accidentally hit the emergency break

[@TrainsurfingMayhem]

Looks like he BROKE the emergency BRAKE

[@Thatrailfanner]

@@TrainsurfingMayhem he accidentally bumped into the emergency break and the train got delayed and this happend in the MTA

[@TrainsurfingMayhem]

@@Thatrailfanner actually I was just making fun of your spelling.

[@Thatrailfanner]

@@TrainsurfingMayhem no i meant to say hit not brake

[@Thatrailfanner]

@@TrainsurfingMayhem oh lol you got me there I spelled brake wrong and instead I spelled break

[@sovetski8893]

Everyone that's not holding on well..

[@enroute6105]

😅they just reset and move on. There's no check.

[@CrAzEDxKILLAx23]

Why Lurch Avenue ? 😂😂😂

[@ice319]

Because you Lurch forward when the train's brakes are activated.

[@yuichishek5703]

Don't touch

[@qjtvaddict]

Only allow MTA employees access the emergency cord stop letting passengers pull it. It’s never safe to pull it anyway.

[@mohammadhuda1723]

Lunch same crunch

[@naveenmenezes8115]

Lurch avenue 😭😭

[@SoichiroMaekawa]

i am a man that never see anyone pull the emergency brakes

[@Futuristbillpicone]

PLEASE DO NOT RAISE THE FARE

[@godgamerluna]

Conquesters:

[@Waituntildawn]

And I wonder who toss a bike on the tracks

[@captainkeyboard1007]

That device at the track that is used to stop a train quickly is called a "trip hammer," or "stop arm." When a signal light is "red," the stop arm is raised, so that when the train moves, the actuator of the railcar will touch the trip hammer, causing it to move slightly, and the pressure air to be released, while the brake shoes be tightly pressed against the surface of the wheels, thus bring the train to a full stop. On the A-Division tracks, the trip hammer is raised up at the right side of the track; on the B-Division, B1-Division, formerly BMT, and B-2-Division, formerly IND, the trip hammer is tilted and located at the left side of the track.

[@evilwatermelon29]

Trip hammer? Nah, it's a tripcock.

[@captainkeyboard1007]

@@evilwatermelon29 The name "trip hammer" was used by the old motormen, conductors, and signal maintainers of the IRT during the 1960s and 1970s decade. The round head at the top makes the apparatus look like a hammer. When the apparatus is in its upright position and the first car passes a red signal, the brake actuator is moved by the triphammer, and it will actuate the train's brakes with a tripping process, thus causing an emergency brake to occur. Also, that apparatus piece is called a "stop arm." I was dubbed a "railroad buff" by the old transit workers when I was a kid, even though I did not know a lot about subways trains than they did, let alone the passengers who rode those trains. Thank you for typing to me.

[@queuebot]

LMAO they copied exactly what Casey Neistat said lol

[@Zekesdad2345_Vlogging]

Who threw a basketball on the tracks

[@captjigoyavgeek9758]

I hate it when the pull the cord on the R46 trains

[@thepickelini]

hi mta

[@fo.xified]

Hi Mta

[@jaydottt_transitfanner]

hi mta

[@ZHUOZHENLIN]

Who threw garbage

[@dileniagerman5214]

STOP THE TRAIN

[@Robot-fi6gs]

WTH lurch Avenue is not even a station

[@Nycc._.chirss08]

It’s probably church Ave cus it’s the closest to lurch

[@TrainsurfingMayhem]

@@Nycc._.chirss08 plot twist: it's lunch avenue

[@Fowlware]

lichess

[@peskypigeonx]

@@Nycc._.chirss08 The J is going to Brooklyn 💀

[@Nycc._.chirss08]

@@peskypigeonx ofc it does

[@domesticcat5069]

🗨️😽

[@seaj4840]

Only from the MTA will you get: - An incorrect gauge reading when the train is in emergency for the first example - Incorrect position of the tripping device for the displayed equipment. It's like you guys can't even stick your heads out of the window. This feels out of touch.

[@Bennett1430]

@seaj4840 would you have been happy if it was an R142 or 188?

[@ice319]

Way too much information for the riding public. Just don't pull the emergency cord unless there is an emergency, and keep your items and yourselves off the tracks. Thanks.

[@Ghost-tc2gj]

This video is pointless Americans still wouldn’t understand

[@moomoomoooo]

not all of us are braindead

[@linjackson9056]

MTA should get rid off Group Station Manager MARCUS TELLIS. This guy is good for nothing. Now he make $142,000 dollars last 2021 tax year. Which is totally wast of taxpayers money.

[@Jacloch]

Americans ☕

[@julioirizarry2749]

🎉 😮 is the number of I can go on my way home to go get a little more than a few minutes of my time and 🥇🥈🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇➡️➡️➡️➡️➡️🔛🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡🟠🟠🟠🟠🔴🔴🔴🔴🟣🟣🔻🟣