Flatcar Handbrake

Howdy all just wondering if anyone could help with this picture please
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3459166

It is off a heavy duty flat and if anyone could tell me what type of brake this is called and in the picture is it on or off in that position. Thanks for any help.
Cheers Mick.

matruck said:

It is off a heavy duty flat and if anyone could tell me what type of brake this is called and in the picture is it on or off in that position.

Click to expand...

It's usually just referred to as a ratchet (although the wheel type also has a ratchet mechanism). By the slackness in the chain I would say it's off (the handle position is not relevant). Powerail offers a similar unit as OEM or conversion.

Looks like a ratchet handbrake and is in the off position (as noted by the slack in the chain). Common on 89' TOFC cars as well.

Thanks fella's the pic came from a set of photo's the author took while the train was coming into a yard but he also took a couple of pic's of the flatcars parked up waiting to be unloaded so i couldn't work out wether the brake would be on or off, Thanks again for the help.
Cheers Mick.:wave: