Freight car hand brakes - 8
32
33
Drop-shaft Hand Brakes
From the earliest use of hand brakes, the need to protect the
brake wheel on gondolas and flat cars was apparent. Both tilting-
handle and drop-shaft types were developed, with the latter
quickly emerging as the most practical and economical. Drop-
shaft hand brakes continue in use today. In the early versions
the chain was wrapped around a square sleeve through which
the brake shaft was able to slide vertically (31 and 32). Modern
drop-shaft hand brakes incorporate a geared mechanism such as
those manufactured by Superior (33) and Superior (34).
32. A Ureco “stem-
winder” drop-brake
shaft on a USRA flat car
from the late teens.
33. Superior drop-shaft
hand brakes from the
1940s.
MRH-Feb 2013
