A release device for a draft gear assembly comprises a draft gear housing for slidably supporting a yoke shaft and capturing a cushion unit associated with the yoke shaft between buff and draft stops. The buff stop comprises a release ring within the interior of the draft gear housing being radially divided into two or more sections. A plurality of release bolts designed to shear under emergency buffing forces extend through the draft gear housing and into the sections of the release ring to draw the sections radially outward to the interior surface of the draft gear housing eliminating gaps and minimizing flexing of the release bolts.