6 results about "Track brake" patented technology

Track brakes are a form of brakes unique to railborne vehicles. The braking force derives from the friction resulting from the application of wood or metal braking shoes directly to the tracks (as the name suggests). Early examples of track brakes used on the horse hauled mineral tramways that preceded the steam locomotive were described as sledge brakes, and are usually associated with lines that used gravity propulsion. In 1849 locomotive engineer Daniel Gooch fitted early examples of his Corsair Class tank engine with these devices; later these were replace with a conventional wheel brake.