Brake run

While modern roller coasters have at least one computer-controlled brake run embedded in the track, older coasters such as The Great Scenic Railway at Luna Park Melbourne may have brakes onboard the train and rely on a brakeman operator to apply them as needed.

[1] They may be engineered into a ride during design in anticipation of certain trouble spots, or later retrofitted in areas where trains are traveling at higher-than-expected speeds.

Roller coasters utilize a variety of braking methods that have evolved over time.

Skid brakes involve a long piece of material, often ceramic-covered, that is situated in the middle of the track parallel to the rails.

When the brake is engaged, the skid raises and causes friction against the underside of the train, reducing its speed.

There are also third-party companies, such as Magnetar Technologies Corp., which provide a service to retrofit existing coasters with magnetic braking technology to increase safety, improve rider comfort, and lower maintenance costs and labor.

Accelerator Coasters, for example, have a series of magnetic brake fins located on the launch track.

After launch, the brake fins are raised back in position to stop the train in the event of a rollback.

While skid brakes already existed by the time Scenic Railway had been conceived, LaMarcus Adna Thompson decided against using these brakes for his Scenic Railway roller coasters, and instead opted for using a brakeman system in a similar to manner to those used on gravity trains.