A historic form of track brake where a heavy metal block or shoe is forced downward onto the running rail to create friction. Unlike conventional brakes that squeeze the wheel tread, sledge brakes bypass the wheels entirely to apply stopping force directly to the track. They were common on early steep-grade railways and trams before the widespread adoption of air brakes.
The museum restored an old mining tram that still relies on a manual sledge brake to keep it from running away on the grade.
Also heard as
- slipper brake
Related terms
Track brake
A braking device that drops down to grip the railhead electromagnetically.
Dynamic braking
Retarding force made by turning a locomotive's traction motors into generators and burning the energy off as heat.
Air line
A railroad route built as straight and level as possible between two points to minimize travel time.