The authors have constructed nomographs of dependence of the gear ratio of a lever-type braking gear on the tare of passenger and freight cars according to the calculated limit coefficient of wheel/rail clutch. It has been shown that for passenger cars with the tare of 53 to 57 ton-force, at a gear ratio 5.3, the 15% skidding reserve in the speed range of 90 to 160 km/h is not maintained. For freight cars with the tare up to 22 ton-force, at a gear ratio 5.72, the basic condition of absence of skidding is not maintained either.

Results of research of damageability of surface of wheelsets in operation, caused by the impact of brake shoes in braking are provided. Statistical characteristics of damage occurrence depending on the term of service have been received.

The results of design analyses concerning the selection of reduction ratio values are presented. The braking effectiveness and performance of a freight wagon with the separate braking of the bogies meet the normative requirements at these reduction ratio values.

Results of design researches of brake efficiency of the freight cars with an axial load 25 fon-force with various values of tare weight and a skid margin are cited. Nomographs for choice a gear ratio at change of a skid margin from 0 % up to 10 % are built. Analytical dependences for definition of a gear ratio of the freight car and design factor of brake shoe pressure force on wheels are received. It is shown, that the freight cars with tare weight 25 and 26 tonforce have the greatest brake efficiency.