Draft gear assembly includes an angled or tapered bottom surface on a tapered plate intermediate of the inner and outer friction surfaces thereof and further includes a complimentary mating angled or tapered surface provided on a built-up portion on a third horizontal rib of a housing and positioned in abutting engagement with the angled or tapered bottom surface on the tapered plate. Providing the mating angled or tapered surfaces increases the side force on movable plates during application of a buffing shock to the draft gear assembly, thus increasing the capacity and resistance of the draft gear assembly to closure.