Abstract: A truck mounted brake system comprising a brake cylinder mounted on a truck bolster, having a cylinder rod extending through the bolster, wherein a series of elongated slots are provided in the second sidewall and the intermediate webs of the bolster to facilitate access to mounting bolts for the brake cylinder. The slots are dimensioned to avoid unnecessary weakening of the bolster. In the preferred embodiment, the brake cylinder is positioned so that the pivot point at which the cylinder rod joins the brake lever is substantially coaxial with the brake cylinder bushing when the cylinder rod is in its extended, loaded position. Interior and exterior surfaces of the bolster sidewall which the brake cylinder and its associated fasteners engage are preferably substantially planar to avoid loosening of the fasteners over time due to surface irregularities.

Abstract: A railroad freight car comprising a freight-carrying first elongated body supported at one end by a first truck and at the other end by a second truck; each truck having a plurality of wheels and carrying air pressure operated braking apparatus for braking the wheels; the air pressure operated braking apparatus on the first truck including a pressurized air line having an air pressure sensor/changeover valve which governs the braking pressure applied only to the wheels of the first truck; the first truck having a bolster, spring-supported at each end by wheel-containing side frames, whereby the bolster is lowered relative to the frame when the elongated body condition varies from empty to loaded; a base mounting the air pressure sensor/changeover valve to the bolster; and, the valve having an arm responsive to change in height of the bolster relative to the frame to decrease the air pressure to the brake apparatus from a high pressure, when the elongated body is loaded, to a lower pressure when the elongated

Abstract: A railroad freight car comprising a freight-carrying first elongated body supported at one end by a first truck and at the other end by a second truck; each truck having a plurality of wheels and carrying air pressure operated braking apparatus for braking the wheels; the air pressure operated braking apparatus on the first truck including a pressurized air line having an air pressure sensor/changeover valve which governs the braking pressure applied only to the wheels of the first truck; the first truck having a bolster, spring-supported at each end by wheel-containing side frames, whereby the bolster is lowered relative to the frame when the elongated body condition varies from empty to loaded; a base mounting the air pressure sensor/changeover valve to the bolster; and, the valve having an arm responsive to change in height of the bolster relative to the frame to decrease the air pressure to the brake apparatus from a high pressure, when the elongated body is loaded, to a lower pressure when the elongated

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a handbrake system for a railway car, such as an articulated car, having at least first, second and third trucks, each truck having a handbrake mechanism. The system comprises a handbrake and a force distributor including an input branch and first and second output branches. The system further comprises a first linkage connecting the handbrake to the input branch for moving the distributor when the handwheel is turned, a second linkage from the first output branch to the brake mechanism of the first truck, an automatic slack adjuster, a third linkage from the second output branch to the slack adjuster, a fourth linkage from the slack adjuster to the brake mechanism of the second truck, and a fifth linkage from the slack adjuster to the brake mechanism of the third truck.