Polar Express Handle Question - Trains Magazine

I just looked at a couple of cab shots of 1225, the model for the movie, and didn't see a lever that squares with the one the boy was considering pulling.

On the other hand, the kid released the brakes, rather than applying them.

Considering the trouble the producers went to assuring accuracy in representing 1225 (as documented in Trains a couple of years ago - they even had someone videotape the replacement of the headlight so it would be correct, if fanciful), I am slightly surprised they got stuff that wrong.