From what I understand, this particular train had a quasi-system where the engineer had to touch the throttle, every so often to keep it from notching down. But there was no automatic brake application or penalty brake from what I understand. Just notching down the throttle in increments to idle, I believe.

I think sort of like having to hold the throttle down on a car, but not 100% of the time.

That's basically what I read. It's a desktop control panel. I've never used one of those. Just the AAR stand and only on switchers at that.