A braking system is provided for rail equipment supported for rolling movement on the rails of a railway. The braking system includes a pair of braking elements arranged to be supported laterally spaced apart on the rail equipment for engaging the respective rails of the railway. Each braking element includes an upper brake block for selectively engaging a top side and a side brake block for selectively engaging an inner side of the corresponding rail. Actuators are provided for urging the braking elements downward and outward in relation to the rail equipment. The actuators engage the braking elements with the respective rails to provide a wedging action between respective inner sides of the rails. This arrangement provides considerable braking force using a relatively simple construction.
