In real life the hand brakes are set on the freight cars to prevent them from rolling away. In Train Sim World they are not set. I would like to see the hand brakes set in scenarios and services that involve switching.
It would really be more realistic to have empited brake pipes, but without being able to use air valves, the only way to empty the brake pipe is to force an emergency application before uncoupling. And when the handbrakes are used instead of the emergency brake, its usually only around 1 handbrake per 10 cars in the train, not all the handbrakes...unless the yard is not level but thats rare.
Some yards are built as a bowl (the lowest point is in the middle of the yard). In those yards, handbrakes are not required. But yes, having 10% of handbrakes on up to a max of 5 or something would be cool.
In real life here in Australia, the 26L brake valve allows you to do a minimum brake application then full service. Then when you go to handle out, this allows the brake pipe pressure to be exhausted (gradually) and emergency application that drops brake pipe pressure quickly. After you stop on a full service application, go to handle out to exhaust the air out of the brake pipe and when the conductor applies enough hand brakes, when cutting off, you don't get the rush of air out of the open tap on the cars left behind because the brake pipe is already exhausted (empty). I drive trains in Australia. MikeyAus069
