Abstract: A rail brake device (1) having permanent magnetic energization, comprising a housing (3) of magnetizable material, which housing is mounted for up and down movement and has at least one permanent magnetic element (5) which in an operating position of the rail brake device is magnetically coupled to a rail (2), wherein the magnetic element is fixedly mounted along a first wall of a cavity in the housing; a switching element (16) of magnetizable material, slidable back and forth, is located next to the magnetic element, and a second wall of the cavity comprises two parts separated by a magnetic barrier (11), wherein, in the rest position, the switching element forms a magnetic connection between the magnetic element and a part of the second wall (19) of the cavity which is in direct connection with a side of the magnetic element facing away from the switching element, while in the operating position, the switching clement forms a magnetic connection between the permanent magnetic element and another part of the