Block Brakes
Block brakes are sections of brakes located on any roller coaster wherever more than one train is intended to run. They act as virtual barriers between the trains running on the roller coaster, preventing collisions should one train stop along the course for any reason. Because of this, block brakes must be capable of completely stopping the train (should a vehicle preceding the block stop) and starting a train (after it has been stopped). Block brake sections usually start the train again in one of two ways including a slight downward slope to let gravity take its course, or by the use of drive tires pushing the train out of the block. Like trim brakes, block brakes can also be used to control the speed of the train.
See Timing.
Read more about this topic: Brake Run
Famous quotes containing the words block and/or brakes:
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—Claude Lévi-Strauss (b. 1908)
“What blazed ahead of you? A faked road block?
The red lamp swung, the sudden brakes and stalling
Engine, voices, heads hooded and the cold-nosed gun?”
—Seamus Heaney (b. 1939)