In order to compare the differences among three kinds of backup brake systems,the braking distance and coupler force were taken as evaluation indexes,and the simulation model of train brake system and the analysis model of performance parameters were built through the cosimulation of AMESim and Simulink.When the failure of direct electro-pneumatic brake system occurred,the characteristics of different backup brake systems were analyzed.Taking a full laden train with the speed of 120 km · h-1 as an example,when the failure of direct electro-pneumatic brake system of a vehicle occurred,the changing trends of braking distance and coupler force were comparatively analyzed in four conditions including fault,single vehicle switching with hot standby backup brake,whole vehicles switching with hot standby backup brake,switching with cold standby backup brake,and the influences of fault vehicle's location on braking distance and coupler force were studied.Analysis result indicates that compared with the fault condition without backup brake system,the braking distance in the condition of single vehicle switching with hot standby backup brake decreases by 10.14% at most,the maximum tensile coupler force and the maximum pressed coupler force decrease by 84.59% and 76.87% at most respectively.In the condition of whole vehicles switching woth hot standby backup brake,the braking distance decreases by 6.41% at most,the maximum tensile coupler force and the maximum pressed coupler force decrease by 46.24% and 10.24% at most respectively.In the condition of switching with cold standby backup brake,the braking distance increases by 3.13% at least,the maximum tensile coupler force and the maximum pressed coupler force decrease by 48.73% and 25.58% at most respectively.With the retroposition of fault vehicle,the maximum tensile coupler force increases gradually,while the maximum pressed coupler force decreases gradually,and in the condition of single vehicle switching with hot standby backup brake,the maximum tensile coupler force and the maximum pressed coupler force both increase gradually.4 tabs,18 figs,23 refs.