A brake apparatus for installation in an intermediate space between the wheels of a twin axle of a track-guided vehicle. The brake apparatus has two subunits able to be moved relative to one another, namely a first subunit with brake linings for the wheels of the first axle of the twin axle and a second subunit with brake linings for the wheels of the second axle of the twin axle. In their installed state, the subunits are supported in a displaceable manner in such a way that, through the displacement of the subunits, contact is made between the brake linings and the wheels. At least one distance sensor is arranged in one of the subunits of the brake apparatus. The distance sensor is configured to measure a distance between the first subunit and the second subunit.

A braking system may include a brake assembly having a brake shaft and a brake lever coupled to the brake shaft. The system may also include a brake cylinder having a first chamber, a second chamber, a piston positioned between the chambers and a piston rod extending outwardly from the piston. The piston rod may be configured to be coupled to the brake shaft such that movement of the piston rod results in rotation of the brake shaft. In addition, the system may include a first valve configured to control a supply of working fluid to the first chamber and a second valve configured to control a supply of the working fluid to the second chamber. By adjusting a position of the first valve and/or the second valve, a braking force applied between the brake assembly and a drum of the draw works may be controlled.