We performed brake tests and simulation by the Finite Element Method (FEM) to examine the effects of used and developed cast iron brake shoes on wheel treads at high speed. The developed brake shoes showed better performance than that of the used ones, but attacked wheel treads more severely in the brake tests. The residual stress on wheel treads of the developed brake shoes was higher than that of the used ones when calculated by FEM for the same wheel temperature as that at the tests.