A hand brake control system for a rail vehicle hand brake having a release trigger. The system includes a cylinder for activating the release trigger of the hand brake and a source of pressure. A first valve selectively connects either the source of pressure at a first input or a second input to the cylinder at an output. A second valve selectively connects either the source of pressure or exhaust to the second input of the first valve at the output of the second valve. The first valve is a manually operated valve and the second valve is an electro-pneumatic valve. Linkage allows actuation of the first valve from at least two location about the vehicle.