Consists of a volume containing correspondence, memoranda, tables, and charts recording tests on railway brake shoes. Also contains published items relating to tests performed on various railway brake shoes. The tests were apparently conducted by the Brake Shoe Shop Test Committee on behalf of the Master Car-Builders' Association. The material was collected by Chicago engineer David L. Barnes, and it is to him that many of the letters are addressed. Most of the volume comprises tables and charts demonstrating the change of co-efficient of friction at differing levels of pressure. Some of the items in the volume are stamped with the identification: "The David L. Barnes Library of the Western Railway Club."
