There are two brake-related buttons on the control panel of the Dragon 2 locomotive whose functions I do not understand.
When the "brake releaser" button is pressed, it rapidly reduces the indicated brake cylinder pressure to 0, but only while it is pressed. When the button is released, brake cylinder pressure returns to approximately its original level. I had originally assumed that this button could accelerate the process of releasing the train's brakes. However, using this button while the brakes are releasing, after having charged the brake pipe to above 5 bar, does not appear to accelerate brake release in any useful way. It appears that there is a "true" level of brake cylinder pressure which can only decrease slowly. When the button is released, indicated brake cylinder pressure returns to that level. Under what circumstances, if any, does this button actually help to release the brakes?
Toward the right side of the control panel, near the brake gauges, there is a "brake assimilation" button. Pressing it has no obvious effect. What does this button do, and under what circumstances is it used?