[CT Jack]

I agree with KGB. We all know our A brakes do not perform like modern day power disc brakes. However, if the "A" brakes are properely aligned to the drum and properly adjusted they will work very well. Holding your foot on the brake going down hills will cause fading whether you have steel or cast iron drums. Friction is fricton (heat). Once the shoe lining heats up a glaze forms on the surface of the lining changing the frictional properties between the lining and the drum. When this happens braking begins to fade and the more you push on the pedal the worst it gets. Pumping the brakes helps to minimze the heat build up between the linings and the drums, steel or cast iron.