HOUSING FOR LONG TRAVEL HIGH CAPACITY FRICTION DRAFT GEAR ASSEMBLY

A friction-type draft gear assembly includes a housing having an open front and a closed rear end with a first and second rear portions and a pair of ledge members disposed intermediate such first and second rear portions and enabling the draft gear assembly to fit into a draft gear pocket of a predetermined length. A first rear portion is adapted to receive a compressible cushioning element with a seating arrangement abutting one end thereof which extends longitudinally from the second portion of the closed rear end toward the open front portion. The open front end is adapted to receive a friction cushioning element which has a spring release mechanism for continuously urging the friction cushioning element outwardly from the compressible cushioning element thereby releasing such friction cushioning element after compression of such draft gear assembly. The open front end may incorporate additional side members for direct attachment to a coupler.