Quick release mechanism for a railway car hand brake

A quick release mechanism (10) for a railcar hand brake (1) comprises a release shaft (11) having a first end (12) and a second end (13). The first end includes a cavity (14). A release lever (17) has a hub (18) journaled on the first end (12) of the release shaft. A stop (20) is disposed on the circumference of the hub (18) of the release lever and engageable with the cavity (14) of the release shaft to rotate such release shaft (11) to cause free release of the brakes. A projection (21) is disposed on the second end (13) of the release shaft. An attachment (22) is mounted to an inside wall (32) of a housing (30) of such hand brake. A tension member (40) has a first end (41) and a second end (42). The first end (41) is secured to the projection (21), and the second end (42) is secured to the attachment (22) whereby said tension member (40) will return said release shaft (11) to the brake application position.