Is/was using the straight air brake to moderate train speed realistic?

[Efini92]

I recently went through conversion training to locos, and we were told to not even use the straight air brake for light engine moves, except at low speeds, and for coupling.

What other brake would you have on a light engine if you can’t use the straight air brake?

 

[GC class B1]

What other brake would you have on a light engine if you can’t use the straight air brake?

Locomotives have an automatic air brake to operate the locomotive and train brakes and if I remember correctly the policy is always to use the automatic air brake for consistency even when running light engine.

 

[martin2345uk]

Ours is to use the train brake when running at speed and only use the loco brake when going very slowly.

 

[craigybagel]

Locomotives have an automatic air brake to operate the locomotive and train brakes and if I remember correctly the policy is always to use the automatic air brake for consistency even when running light engine.

Exactly this. And given the locos in question in my example are 67s, even when running light the auto brake is very good.