Abstract: There is disclosed a method and a gas actuated retarder system for railway cars to control the rolling speed of a railway car along a first and second running rails of a track section. The retarder system includes a plurality of steel ties positioned substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first and second running rails of a track section. A plurality of gas bladder mounts are positions between the running rails of the gas actuated retarder system. Coupled to each of the gas bladder mounts are air bladders with one air bladder on a side of the centerline of the gas actuated retarder system. Inflating and deflating the gas bladder selectively controls the amount of speed reduction of the railcar.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and a gas actuated retarder system for railway cars to control the rolling speed of a railway car along a first and second running rails of a track section. The retarder system includes a plurality of steel ties positioned substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first and second running rails of a track section. A plurality of gas bladder mounts are positions between the running rails of the gas actuated retarder system. Coupled to each of the gas bladder mounts are air bladders with one air bladder on a side of the centerline of the gas actuated retarder system. Inflating and deflating the gas bladder selectively controls the amount of speed reduction of the railcar.

Abstract: The present invention provides a releasable skate retarder for railway cars. The retarder includes a plurality of spring packs including springs which bias shoe carrying beams toward running rails, trapping wheels of a railway car entering the retarder between the shoes and the running rails, and applying a frictional force to the railway car wheels for stopping the railway car and retaining the railway car in the retarder. The retarder is operable in a release mode in which an operating mechanism moves the shoe beams to a release position in which the spring force is released, allowing the railway car to move freely through the retarder. The retarder is operable in a service mode in which the operating mechanism moves the shoe beams outwardly, allowing the insertion of shims which cause the shoes to be repositioned closer to the running rails to compensate for shoe wear.

Abstract: The present invention provides a releasable skate retarder for railway cars. The retarder includes a plurality of spring packs including springs which bias shoe carrying beams toward running rails, trapping wheels of a railway car entering the retarder between the shoes and the running rails, and applying a frictional force to the railway car wheels for stopping the railway car and retaining the railway car in the retarder. The retarder is operable in a release mode in which an operating mechanism moves the shoe beams to a release position in which the spring force is released, allowing the railway car to move freely through the retarder. The retarder is operable in a service mode in which the operating mechanism moves the shoe beams outwardly, allowing the insertion of shims which cause the shoes to be repositioned closer to the running rails to compensate for shoe wear.

Abstract: The present invention provides a releasable skate retarder for railway cars. The retarder includes a plurality of spring packs including springs which bias shoe carrying beams toward running rails, trapping wheels of a railway car entering the retarder between the shoes and the running rails, and applying a frictional force to the railway car wheels for stopping the railway car and retaining the railway car in the retarder. The retarder is operable in a release mode in which an operating mechanism moves the shoe beams to a release position in which the spring force is released, allowing the railway car to move freely through the retarder. The retarder is operable in a service mode in which the operating mechanism moves the shoe beams outwardly, allowing the insertion of shims which cause the shoes to be repositioned closer to the running rails to compensate for shoe wear.