There are a few different ways to stop a train on a roller coaster. This is a very important step, as braking keeps the train from going over hills with too much speed, and it keeps the train from crashing into other trains at the station. Missing brakes can cause serious injuries, and it is important that they always work. As brakes work, they use an increase in friction to stop the train. When this happens, there is an increase in heat as the moving parts slide past stationary parts. It is important that all brakes are properly cooled so they do not malfunction. There are two kinds of brakes. Below is a comparison of the two.
| Trim Brakes: These are used to slow the
train down in potentially dangerous situations where the
speed could be too high for the track or passengers to
handle. These cannot stop the train. |
Block Brakes: These are used for stopping
the train. They can also slow it down without completely
stopping it, but their main function is to stop the train.
|
There are also three types of brakes. Below is a comparison of these brakes.
| Skid Brakes: These are long pieces of
material that push up on the bottom of the train,
producing friction that stops the train. They are usually
covered in ceramic to reduce the effect of added heat on
them. However, these are not used in many new coasters. |
Fin Brakes: These are extensions of the
train that hang down over the rails of the track, and they
have a squeezing mechanism on them. When squeezed, the
fins create the friction that is used to stop the train.
It has a fail-safe in case of power outage, and it is the
most widely used brake today. |
Magnetic Brakes: These consist of two rows
of large magnets that, when a magnetic fin behind the
train passes through, create a magnetic field that pushes
in the opposite direction of the motion, causing the train
to stop. These can be used in addition to other brakes,
and they are very common among new coasters. |
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| Skid brake. Image from:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=47110
|
Fin brake. Image from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake_run
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Magnetic brake. Image from: http://stancik12p6magnets.wikispaces.com/Rollercoasters+and+their+use+of+magnets |