A braking system for a railway car, the braking system defining a longitudinal axis and comprising: a first brake assembly, the first brake assembly comprising a bar assembly, a plurality of brake heads connected to the bar assembly, and a plurality of end extensions connected to the bar assembly, the bar assembly comprising a tension bar assembly and a compression bar; a second brake assembly, the second brake assembly comprising a bar assembly, a plurality of brake heads connected to the bar assembly, and a plurality of end extensions connected to the bar assembly, the bar assembly comprising a tension bar assembly and a compression bar; an actuator operable to generate a linear force, the actuator disposed between the tension bar assembly and the compression bar of the second brake assembly; a fixed rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly; a movable rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly, the movable rod connected to the actuator and translatable along the longitudinal axis based on operation of the actuator; and a live lever disposed proximate the second brake assembly, the live lever comprising a first end, a second end, and a pivot point between the first end and the second end, the first end connected to the actuator, the second end connected to the movable rod, characterised in that each of the plurality of end extensions of the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly is connected at a first connection point to a brake head and a bar assembly, and connected at a second connection point to the bar assembly, and not connected at the second connection point to the brake head. a first brake assembly, the first brake assembly comprising a bar assembly, a plurality of brake heads connected to the bar assembly, and a plurality of end extensions connected to the bar assembly, the bar assembly comprising a tension bar assembly and a compression bar; a second brake assembly, the second brake assembly comprising a bar assembly, a plurality of brake heads connected to the bar assembly, and a plurality of end extensions connected to the bar assembly, the bar assembly comprising a tension bar assembly and a compression bar; an actuator operable to generate a linear force, the actuator disposed between the tension bar assembly and the compression bar of the second brake assembly; a fixed rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly; a movable rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly, the movable rod connected to the actuator and translatable along the longitudinal axis based on operation of the actuator; and a live lever disposed proximate the second brake assembly, the live lever comprising a first end, a second end, and a pivot point between the first end and the second end, the first end connected to the actuator, the second end connected to the movable rod, characterised in that each of the plurality of end extensions of the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly is connected at a first connection point to a brake head and a bar assembly, and connected at a second connection point to the bar assembly, and not connected at the second connection point to the brake head.