Locomotive parking brake

A method of controlling a parking brake, comprising:

• providing a motorized parking brake having a motor, a brake chain drum interconnected to the motor to take up or release a brake chain, a load arm that is deflected based on tension in the brake chain to close a first switch, a cam coupled to a first end of the brake chain for rotation when the brake chain is taken up or released by the brake chain drum, and a second switch associated with the cam so that when the brake chain drum drives the brake chain into a fully released position the cam closes the second switch;
• checking for a first signal from the first switch indicating that the brake chain in under a predetermined level of tension;
• receiving a second signal from the motor indicating an amount of current being provided to the motor;
• and
• stopping the motor if the first signal is received or if the second signal indicates that the amount of current being provided to the motor is over a predetermined threshold.