hexagon789
Veteran Member
When I first travelled on this Class back in 2018 on the Shotts line, I remember noticing drivers were predominantly braking using repeated light (possibly initial or Step 1) applications which were held only briefly and then released before being re-applied a few seconds later.
I assumed at the time thus was drivers still getting used to their new charges and the brakes were much better than the 156s and so the brake handling was more reflective of trying to match a 156 braking profile until confidence with making a sustained harder application was built.
However, today I travelled by 385 again for the first time since and again the same braking method was employed - lots of repeated short and light applications with the only real use of a harder application being to fine tune to stop to the correct mark.
Is there a particular reason for this approach? I always understood that 'fanning' the brake by repeatedly applying and releasing was not generally well regarded as a braking technique and I'm curious as to why this technique only seems to be employed on 385s as I've never noticed this approach on the likes of 380s and so forth where a moderate (say step 1 or equivalent) application with some splashes of a firmer (presumably Step 2) application to check retardation and stopping on the mark is the norm.
I assumed at the time thus was drivers still getting used to their new charges and the brakes were much better than the 156s and so the brake handling was more reflective of trying to match a 156 braking profile until confidence with making a sustained harder application was built.
However, today I travelled by 385 again for the first time since and again the same braking method was employed - lots of repeated short and light applications with the only real use of a harder application being to fine tune to stop to the correct mark.
Is there a particular reason for this approach? I always understood that 'fanning' the brake by repeatedly applying and releasing was not generally well regarded as a braking technique and I'm curious as to why this technique only seems to be employed on 385s as I've never noticed this approach on the likes of 380s and so forth where a moderate (say step 1 or equivalent) application with some splashes of a firmer (presumably Step 2) application to check retardation and stopping on the mark is the norm.