Railworks America

This engine sat at Skykomish for a while and this "hand wheel" was turning by "itself" for a minute or so.

I was wondering what that thingy is for ?

That is the locomotive hand brake

Thanks John

Can it be rotaded from the inside ? I saw it turning without anyone roatating it on tge outside

No
You have to operate the pushbutton from the outside, but on some units it does take time to wind on or off.

Pushbutton ? Aha, I see. So it has its own motor and the hand wheel is just for emergency operation when there is no power or another motor problem ? Is that motor electric / hydraulic / air ?

Seems that pushing the button is what he might be doing at the end of this little movie. Click the URL below.
https://ej-usweek.tinytake.com/tt/NDkzODk2NF8xNTU2MjE0NA
https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aj8hm7Xwo3lypJJIK-0YzmAu9jwFJQ?e=z5uo9b
Posted it twice, not sure either will work though.