During a brake test, how can you verify if the brakes on the last car are functional?

To verify the functionality of the brakes on the last car during a brake test, observing a decrease in brake pipe pressure is a method rooted in established practice. In a typical brake test, when the brakes are applied, the air pressure in the brake pipe decreases. This pressure drop indicates that air is being directed into the brake cylinders, prompting the brakes to engage.

The process of monitoring the brake pipe pressure allows you to confirm that the braking system is functioning as intended, as each car's brake applies when the pressure is reduced. If the brakes on the last car are operational, a decrease in brake pipe pressure will be observed, confirming that the brake system is intact and responsive.

Other options do not provide a direct verification method. Confirming with the engineer from the locomotive, for example, relies on information that may not reflect the current condition of the last car's brakes. Checking each car manually before the test introduces an element of time and may not be feasible during an active testing scenario. Executing an emergency brake application, while it could indicate that the brakes engage, does not affirm the state of functionality prior to an emergency situation, where an unintentional brake engagement may lead to safety risks. Hence, the most reliable and standard procedure is monitoring the