The present invention provides a friction shoe for use in a railway freight car truck. The friction shoe is disposed to dampen movements between the truck bolster and the side frames, and consists of a unitarily cast metal body having a generally planar vertical wear plate adapted to frictionally engage a column on the truck side frame. The back surface of the vertical wear plate is augmented to create a thicker cross sectional area at either the upper or lower ends of the plate, depending on the type of shoe being used. The augmented shoe provides a longer wearing friction surface which requires less frequent replacement and lower costs.