Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a brake mechanism, particularly useful on a vehicle which travels on the upper side wall edges of gondola cars. The brake mechanism includes a brake shoe rack which carries two pairs of brake shoes, one pair of brake shoes being adapted to clamp one side wall of the gondola car and the other pair of brake shoes being adapted to clamp the other side wall of the gondola car. The pairs of brake shoes are moved in opposition to one another by a single hydraulic ram to effect the clamping of the side walls. The brake shoe rack is pivotally supported below the chassis of the gondola car loader by hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering the brake shoe rack as the vehicle is moved from gondola car to adjacent gondola car. The brake shoe rack is also movable from side to side with respect to the chassis of the vehicle to enable the brake mechanism to accommodate gondola car side walls which are bowed or otherwise irregularly shaped.

Abstract: A gondola car loader includes a wheeled chassis moveable along the top edges of adjacent gondola cars in a direction of the railroad track on which the cars are located. Wheeled spanning legs, pivotably mounted to the chassis, are adapted to span gaps between adjacent cars and support the chassis as it is moved across the gaps. A knuckle boom, for loading and unloading cargo from the cars, is rotatably mounted on the chassis.

Abstract: A gondola car loader includes a chassis moveable along the top edges of adjacent gondola cars in a direction of the railroad track on which the cars are located. Four beams, pivotably mounted at their centers to the chassis, each carry wheels at both ends thereof for supporting the chassis on the cars. The beams are adapted to be pivoted to selectively engage the wheels with the top edges of the sides of the gondola cars, thereby facilitating motion of the chassis across the gaps between adjacent cars.