Abstract: The low slung traction means serves to transmit traction or braking forces between the rail vehicle body and the supporting undercarriage. In one embodiment, the traction means has a horizontal intermediate member connected to the undercarriage via inclined rods and connected to the body via a second longitudinal connecting rod. In addition, the intermediate rod is coupled to the vehicle body via a guide means formed by a linkage. The traction and braking forces are transmitted exactly at the force attack point given by the imaginary intersection of the inclined rods and the moment exerted on the intermediate rod by the traction and/or braking forces is compensated by a corresponding reaction moment via the guide linkage. Other embodiments utilize transverse cross-pieces, T-shaped intermediate members, lever cross-intermediate members and the like.