Abstract: A brake shoe is used on a railway vehicle for both applying a braking force and simultaneously reconditioning a wheel tread surface of a wheel disposed on such railway vehicle during a normal braking application on such vehicle. The brake shoe comprises a backing plate having a predetermined configuration and a first friction type material formed into a brake shoe and having a predetermined shape. There is a brake surface for engaging a wheel tread having a predetermined configuration and having a predetermined surface area. A second friction type material is formed as a discrete insert, having a predetermined shape and a predetermined width, and molded into first friction type material. One surface of the discrete insert being disposed coincidently as part of the brake surface of the brake shoe. The second friction type material exhibits greater abrasive properties than does the first friction type material.

Abstract: A brake shoe for use on a railway vehicle for reconditioning a wheel tread surface during a normal braking application including a backing plate and a first friction material extending over the brake surface of such brake shoe. It further contains a second friction material, formed as a discrete insert molded into such first friction material. Such second friction material initially is completely embedded. One surface of the insert is incrementally exposed as the first friction type material is eroded away. Such second friction material exhibits abrasive properties and is bonded to such backing plate. A third friction material is disposed as another discrete insert imbedded in the first friction type material. One surface of the abrasive third friction material being disposed as part of the brake surface of the brake shoe.

Abstract: A brake shoe adapted to engage the tread of a railroad car wheel via which such railroad car is guidably supported on a railed track. The brake shoe comprises a backing plate which has a predetermined configuration and a means disposed on each end of the backing plate for securing such backing plate to a brake head. The brake shoe further includes a brake lining that is affixed to the backing plate and has a braking surface engageable with the wheel tread of a railroad car wheel.