This railroad car brake device is provided with a first pressure control device that converts first air inside a first tank provided to a body on a railway car truck to brake control air of a specific pressure, and provides such air to a brake cylinder that imparts a braking force to wheels provided to the railway car truck, wherein the railway car brake device comprises: a second tank that is disposed on the truck and is independent from the first tank; and a second pressure control device that, when an emergency brake is operated and prior to the provision of brake control air from the first pressure control device to the brake cylinder, provides second air inside of the second tank to the brake cylinder as emergency brake air.