A railroad brake shoe comprising a composition friction element prepared for engagement with a wheel of a railroad car includes an arcuate-shaped metal backing plate to which the friction element is supportively joined. The backing plate includes a semicircular-shaped attaching bracket which has a pair of brake shoe key windows formed in an upper and a lower member of the bracket. Each window has an angularly offset outer sidewall which forms part of a gripping edge. The attaching bracket of the brake shoe is fitted between spaced carrier lugs formed in a brake shoe head located at each end of a brake beam associated with the railroad car. To secure the brake shoe to the brake head a brake shoe key is inserted in a vertical recess formed in the brake head so as to pass through the key windows in the brake shoe. The key engages the gripping edges in the brake shoe attaching bracket to form a wedging action which inhibits movement of the key during use.
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