Abstract: Three embodiments of a hydraulic braking system are shown and described. Each embodiment provides a precisely controlled hydraulic braking system for a railway vehicle, which features a pilot pressure controlled brake control valve. The pilot pressure is selectively varied by operation of pressure control and flow control valves so that the power requirements for the hydraulic braking system are minimized. The braking system can be used with either spring-apply, pressure-release or pressure-apply, spring-release braking actuators. An auxiliary hydraulic system is provided to operate the brakes if the primary hydraulic system should fail. The pilot pressure fluid which operates the brake control valve can be either hydraulic or pneumatic. The brake control valve can be provided with a pneumatic emergency brake override control.