The method involves controlling a rail brake (GB) with several (k) individual brakes (1-4) for braking individual courses each with several running mechanisms (LW1). The run in speed of each mechanism (LW1) in the brake (GB) is determined. A target run-out speed of each mechanism is provided from the brake (GB). An excess energy in braking is determined from the energy difference between the run-in speed and the target run-out speed. Each individual brake (1-4) is controlled in either of the discrete switched on or released operating states. During running, the axles of a rotating mechanism (LW1) are impacted simultaneously by one of the individual brakes. The required number of individual brakes to be switched on is determined according to a discrete algorithm.
