We propose a reference slip ratio generation algorithm that accounts for a large adhesion force to improve the braking performance of railway rolling stocks even if the rail conditions change. Our algorithm is based on fuzzy logic, the efficiency of which was evaluated by comparing the braking distances of rolling stocks using the proposed algorithm and using constant reference slip ratios under various rail conditions. Our proposed slip ratio generation algorithm was used as the basis of an adaptive sliding mode controller for a rolling stocks quarter model. In this design, an adaptive rule was developed using the Lyapunov stability theorem, and the performance of the proposed control system was evaluated by computer simulation.