The Westinghouse Friction Draft Gear

Announcement r-pAHE attention of the Westinghouse Air Brake Company, in the introduction of air brakes, first upon passenger and later upon freight trains, was called to the necessity for modification and improvement in the draft-gear apparatus commonly used, and the problems involved have thus demanded and received constant study from its officials, especially Mr. George Westinghouse, to whom have been issued numerous patents covering a practical solution of such problems. The Company has, therefore, undertaken to manufacture and introduce the Friction Draft Gear apparatus covered by those patents, and has established a special department for that purpose under competent management. This apparatus is of special value when applied to freight and passenger locomotives and also to passenger cars, and its use is essential to the ultimate successful operation of long trains of freight cars, particularly those of steel construction, on account of their extreme rigidity, which makes the use of the Frictional Draft Gear doubly important. It is also believed that when its merits are fully understood the economies resulting from its use will lead to its general application to all classes of rolling stock. It is worthy of note that a considerable benefit results from the use of the Friction Draft Gear upon the tender, or even one car only in a train, so that its introduction may be undertaken gradually. The Westinghouse Air Brake Company June ist, 1900. Pittsburgh, Pa.