dynamic braking?

How do you then spot up the train when the station is up grade? Is it all done by momentum?

Here on the west coast Amtrak, Metrolink, Coaster and Caltrain all have separate DB, and stretch/power brake quite a bit.

I get to within two to 3 feet of my marks by just using brake.
both uphill or downhill.

NJT's EMD's - the GP40's and F40's will let you not allow the dynamic/blended brake to kick on and will allow power braking, if you leave the throttle in a power position, but you will just brake with just air, no dynamics at all. It is against the operating rules however.

The PL42's, and the ALP44's and 46's will do like dutch says, and knock off power, and prioritize for braking