Abstract: Improvements are described for the type of trash collection apparatus mounted on a side-loading trash collection vehicle of the type in which a container carriage moves up and down on vertical guide rails. The improvements comprise providing pairs of guide rails on each side of the carriage with one set of guide rails being entirely vertical and the other set of guide rails having upper end portions which are curved towards the receptacle into which the container is dumped. An improved apparatus for slowing the speed of and stopping the carriage at the end of its upper travel to ensure proper orientation of the carriage wheels during return of the carriage to the ground position is also described.