Purpose: To assess the possibility of wagons rolling over the brake shoes during shunting operations, with the aim of determining the number of brake shoes required, taking into account the physical characteristics of the secured wagons and the parameters of the longitudinal profile of the track. Methods: The modelling and analysis techniques were used. The simulation of the wagon cut movement before the collision was based on the numerical solution of the differential equation. The possibility of wagons rolling over the brake shoe was analyzed from the energy point of view. Results: The following example has been drawn from practical experience, namely, the movement of a group of 25 loaded tank cars and its collision with a group of 41 similarly loaded tank cars standing on the track. In a standard shunting operation, when a locomotive pushes a train secured by the shoes, the shoes should slide along the rail. However, in practice, there are cases of the so-called “welding” of the shoe to the rail. This is due to a significant increase in the coefficient of friction, which results in the wheel rolling over the shoe. It has been demonstrated that when a locomotive exerts pressure on a wagon cut, the wagon wheels could potentially roll over the brake shoe. In the event of an impact, it appears improbable that the wheels of the wagons will jump over the shoes under the conditions considered. There is a possibility of slight sliding of the brake\ shoes on the rail. The calculations performed are applicable to double brake shoes. In the case of single shoes, there is an increased potential for the brake shoe to be discarded during the wheel impact. A numerical example has been considered on the assumption that fluid fluctuations in tanks do not affect the dynamics of rolling stock movement at shunting speeds. However, during the collision, these fluctuations cause the dissipation of kinetic energy. Practical significance: The aforementioned analysis has enabled the establishment of clear standards and procedures for securing wagons during shunting operations at the station.