Listed & described below are RailCar|RollingStock Couplers as typically used on historic & modern Industrial+Mainline+Mining+NarrowGauge+Plantation+Transit railways. Couplers are often known by more than one name. Compromise couplers or cars are used to transition between coupler types.
AARD+AARE+AARF+AARH Couplers
- Also known as Janney, Alliance, American, APTA, ARA, BuckEye, Knuckle, National, MCB, Sharon couplers
- SubType AARD used on Historic 1893~1900 Stock to mate with LINKpin couplers via a SlottedKnuckle
- SubType AARE used on General Freight Locos & Wagons
- SubType AARF used on HazMat & Rotary Wagons to avoid AccidentalDecoupling, AKA InterLock couplers
- SubType AARH used on Passenger Locos & Wagons to avoid SlackAction, AKA TightLock couplers
- All AAR SubTypes will mate to any other AAR coupler
- Widely used in NorthAmerica+SouthAmerica+Africa+Asia+Austrialia+MidEast
- Limited use in Britain+NewZeaLand on Freight Wagons & Passenger Units
- Scale 0.500|0.750 AAR couplers are used on Amusement+Industrial 2.000f 0.610m railways
- Compromise AAR~EURO couplers are known as DropHead|SwingHead couplers in Britain+NewZeaLand
- Compromise AAR~WAB|PINCup|SCHA couplers are used for Loco~Unit rescue in NorthAmerica
- SemiAuto Coupling; SemiAuto Decoupling; AARH couplers may have FullAuto Air+Electric connections
- Maximum Ratings: Draft 650kLb 2891kN, Tonnage 36376USTon 33000MetricTon
- Typical Service: Draft 230kLb 1067kN, Tonnage 13227USTon 12000MetricTon
- File:RailCarCoupler.AARx 0000.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.AARx 0001.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.AARx 0002.GIF;File:RailCarCoupler AARx Vid1;;;;;;;;;File:RailCarCoupler AARx Vid2;;;;;;;;;File:RailCarCoupler.AARx Vid3;;;;;;;;;File:RailCarCoupler.AARx Vid4;;;;;;;;;File:RailCarCoupler.AARx Vid5;;;;;;;;;File:RailCarCoupler.AARx Vid6
- http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bljannycoupler.htm
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janney_coupler
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tightlock_coupling
- http://web.archive.org/web/20110929160607/http://www.narhf.org/nar01/NAR01awards_coupler.html
- http://trn.trains.com/en/Railroad%20Reference/ABCs%20of%20Railroading/2006/05/Couplers.aspx
- http://www.columbuscastings.com/locomotive_couplers.html
- http://www.columbuscastings.com/couplers_yokes.html
- http://www.columbuscastings.com/couplers.html
- http://www.apta.com/aptasearchcenter/results.aspx?k=type%20H%20coupler
ABC Couplers
- Also known as AutoBuffingContact couplers
- British replacement for outlawed LinkPin couplers on NarrowGauge in Africa, Honduras, India, Pakistan
- SemiAuto Coupling, Manual Decoupling
- Maximum Ratings: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- Typical Service: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- File:RailCarCoupler.ABCx 0000.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.ABCx 0001.JPG
- http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/Museum/Transport/Trains/ABC/ABC01.htm
ALBErt Couplers
- Used as SemiPermanent DrawBars on passenger StreetCars in Europe
- Manual Coupling; Manual Decoupling
- Maximum Ratings: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- Typical Service: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- File:RailCarCoupler.Albe 0000.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.Albe 0001.JPG;
BSI Couplers
- Also known as BergischeStahlIndustries couplers
- Limited use on passenger Units in Britain & China
- FullAuto Coupling; FullAuto Decoupling
- Maximum Ratings: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- Typical Service: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- File:RailCarCoupler.BSIx 0000.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.BSIx 0001.JPG;File:RailCarCoupler BSIx Vid0;;;;;;;;;
CB Couplers
- Also known as CenterBuffer couplers
- Various designs & configurations
- Used on NarrowGauge stock in Africa, Europe
- Manual Coupling, Manual Decoupling
- Maximum Ratings: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- Typical Service: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- File:RailCarCoupler.CBxx 0002.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.CBxx 0003.JPG
EURO Couplers
- Also known as British, Chain+Buffers, English, Instanter, Links+Buffers, Screw+Buffers couplers
- Widely used in Britain+Africa+Europe+IreLand+MidEast+NewZeaLand
- Limited use in Asia+Australia+SouthAmerica
- Compromise EURO~AAR couplers are known as DropHead|SwingHead couplers
- Compromise EURO~RUSSian couplers are known as C-AKv couplers
- Compromise EURO~SCHA couplers are known as Dellner couplers
- Manual Coupling; Manual Decoupling
- Maximum Ratings: Draft 303kLb 1350kN, Tonnage 4409USTon 4000MetricTon
- Typical Service: Draft 191kLb 850kN, Tonnage 2755USTon 2500MetricTon
- File:RailCarCoupler.Engl 0000.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.Engl 0001.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.Engl 0002.JPG;File:RailCarCoupler.Engl Vid0;;;;;;;;;File:RailCarCoupler.Engl Vid1;;;;;;;;;File:RailCarCoupler.Engl Vid2;;;;;;;;;File:RailCarCoupler.Engl Vid3
- http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/gansg/4-rstock/04arstock2b.htm
- http://www.rssb.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/rv_coupling_system_data/mechanical/M001.pdf
- http://www.mrol.com.au/Articles/Prototype/3-ShackleScrewCouplings.aspx
- http://www.msvmetal.eu/en/products/screw-couplings.php
- http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/de/electric/historic/103_1/orientrot/103_170-199/db_103-174_0003.jpg
Buffer Mounting Dimensions For EURO Couplers:
- On 4.708f 1.435m Railways: HeightATOR=3.458f 1.054m, Center~Center=5.741f 1.750m to 6.000f 1.829m
- On 5.000f 1.524m Railways: HeightATOR=3.543f 1.080m, Center~Center=6.000f 1.829m
- On 5.250f 1.600m Railways: HeightATOR=3.281f 1.000m, Center~Center=6.250f 1.905m
- On 3.281f 1.000m Railways: HeightATOR=2.461f 0.750m, Center~Center=?
GFN+GFT Couplers
- Used on NarrowGauge stock in Belgium+SwitzerLand
- FullAuto Coupling; FullAuto Decoupling
- Maximum Ratings: Draft 225kLb 1000kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- Typical Service: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- File:RailCarCoupler.GFxx 0000.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.GFxx 0001.JPG;File:RailCarCoupler.GFxx Vid0
- http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:GF_couplers
LINKpin Couplers
- Also known as Mayo, Trichter, VanDorn couplers
- Widely used in the Americas & Europe 1831~1900; outlawed due to injuries
- Compromise LINKpin~AAR 1893~1900 transition couplers were MCB|AARD.SlottedKnuckle couplers
- Manual Coupling; Manual Decoupling
- Maximum Ratings: Draft 69kLb 307kN, Tonnage 3858USTon 3500MetricTon
- Typical Service: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- File:RailCarCoupler.Link 0000.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.Link 0001.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.Link 0002.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.Link 0003.JPG;File:RailCarCoupler.Link Vid0;;;;;;;;;File:RailCarCoupler.Link Vid1;;;;;;;;;File:RailCarCoupler.Link Vid2;;;;;;;;;File:RailCarCoupler.Link Vid3
- http://cprr.org/Museum/Ephemera/Link-Pin_Couplers.html
- http://harveycountyvoices.blogspot.com/2013/04/tools-from-our-collection-link-and-pin.html
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railway_coupling#Link_and_pin
- http://thecourier.typepad.com/alongtherightofway/2009/09/link-pin-couplers.html
- http://railwaysurgery.org/Limbs.htm
MILLer Couplers
- Also known as Hook+Platform couplers
- Used on 1866~1900 passenger Wagons in NorthAmerica; replaced with AAR couplers
- SemiAuto Coupling; SemiAuto Decoupling
- Maximum Ratings: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- Typical Service: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- File:RailCarCoupler.Mill 0000.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.Mill 0001.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.Mill 0002.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.Mill 0003.JPG
- http://www.google.com/patents?vid=56594
- http://archive.org/stream/millerstrussedp00millgoog#page/n2/mode/2up
- http://www.midcontinent.org/fund/miller.html
- http://www.midcontinent.org/collectn/woodpas/mlsw63/miller.html
- http://www.midcontinent.org/rollingstock/dictionary/millerhook.htm
- http://www.midcontinent.org/rollingstock/dictionary/millerhook_restoration.htm
NORWegian Couplers
- Also known as Chopper, Jones couplers
- Used on NarrowGauge stock in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Britain, NewZealand
- SemiAuto Coupling; Manual Decoupling
- Maximum Ratings: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- Typical Service: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
;File:RailCarCoupler.Norw Vid0;;;;;;;;;File:RailCarCoupler.Norw Vid1- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_coupling
PINCup Couplers
- Also known as Budd, Bull, Horse, Spear, WABN couplers
- Limited use on passenger Units in NorthAmerica (BART, LIRR, MNRR, SEPTA...)
- Compromise PINCup~AAR couplers are used for Unit~Loco rescue
- FullAuto Coupling; FullAuto Decoupling
- Maximum Ratings: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- Typical Service: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- ; ;;;;;;;;;
RUSSian Couplers
- Also known as Willison, AutoCenterBuffing, AutoKnuckle69e, AutoMat, CA3, SA2, SA3, Soviet couplers
- Widely used on 5.000f 1.524m railway stock in EastEurope+NorthEurope+MidEast+India
- Less common on Industrial+Mining stock in America+WestEurope
- Compromise RUSSian~EURO couplers are known as C-AKv couplers
- SemiAuto Coupling; SemiAuto Decoupling
- Maximum Ratings: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage 9149USTon 8300MetricTon
- Typical Service: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage 5952USTon 5400MetricTon
- File:RailCarCoupler.Russ 0000.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.Russ 0001.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.Russ 0002.GIF;File:RailCarCoupler.Russ Vid0;;;;;;;;;File:RailCarCoupler.Russ Vid1;;;;;;;;;File:RailCarCoupler.Russ Vid2;;;;;;;;;File:RailCarCoupler.Russ Vid3
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SA3_coupler
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-AKv_coupler
- http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%90%D0%B2%D1%82%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%86%D0%B5%D0%BF%D0%BA%D0%B0_%D0%A1%D0%90-3
- http://www.automatische-mittelpufferkupplung.de/files/automatische_mittelpufferkupplung.pdf
SCHArfenberg Couplers
- Also known as Dellner, German, SchaKu(ScharfenbergKupplong), Voith couplers
- Designed & patented by Karl Scharfenberg in 1903
- SubTypes include the Type10, 35, 55, 140, 330, 430, 5301
- Incompatible similar designs: GFV, Shibata, Shinkansen, WABH, WABT
- Used worldwide on modern passenger Units
- Limited use on MoltenSteel wagons in mill conditions requiring remote operation
- Compromise SCHA~EURO & SCHA~AAR couplers are used for Unit~Loco rescue & maintenance
- FullAuto Coupling; FullAuto Decoupling
- Maximum Ratings: Draft 338kLb 1500kN, Tonnage 1102USTon 1000MetricTon
- Typical Service: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- File:RailCarCoupler.Scha 0000.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.Scha 0001.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.Scha 0002.GIF;File:RailCarCoupler.Scha Vid0;;;;;;;;;File:RailCarCoupler.Scha Vid1;;;;;;;;;File:RailCarCoupler.Scha Vid2;;;;;;;;;File:RailCarCoupler.Scha Vid3;;;;;;;;;File:RailCarCoupler.Scha Vid4
- http://demo.internet-in-a-box.org/iiab/zim/wikipedia_en_all_nopic_01_2012/A/Scharfenberg%20coupler.html
- http://resource.voith.com/vt/publications/downloads/1994_e_vts_212_852_connect_u_protect_280x210_rz_screen.pdf
- http://us.voith.com/en/products-services/power-transmission/scharfenberg-couplers/the-scharfenberg-operating-principle-13784.html
- http://www.voith.com/en/products-services/power-transmission/scharfenberg-couplers/scharfenberg-couplers-railcars-14310.html
- http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Scharfenberg
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scharfenberg_coupler
WABH+WABT Couplers
- Also known as H, Tomlinson, NewYork, WestinghouseAirBrake couplers
- SubTypes include WABH2A, WABH2C, WABTomlinson6, WABTomlinson8, WABTomlinson16
- Developed in the early 1900s by OhioBrass, now part of WABCo
- Used on some NorthAmerican+Australian+Japanese passenger Units & LightRailVehicles
- Compromise WAB~AAR couplers are used for passenger Unit~Loco rescue & maintenance
- FullAuto Coupling; FullAuto Decoupling
- Maximum Ratings: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- Typical Service: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- ; ;;;;;;;;;
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railway_coupling#Westinghouse_H2C_MU_coupler
- http://members.trainweb.com/bedt/indloco/sbr.html
- http://books.google.com/books?id=T2s3AQAAMAAJ&lpg=PA549&ots=57VhGVTCuf&dq=%22ohio%20brass%22%201914%20tomlinson&pg=PA552#v=twopage&q=%22ohio%20brass%22%201914%20tomlinson&f=false
WARD Couplers
- Used on 1905~1935 transit stock for LondonUnderGround, GlasgowSubway, IsleOfWight lines
- Required SafetyChains which often dragged & shorted the 3rdRail
- Replaced by WEDGelock couplers on 1936|Later transit stock; still used on older MaintenanceOfWay stock
- SemiAuto Coupling; SemiAuto Decoupling
- Maximum Ratings: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- Typical Service: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- File:RailCarCoupler.Ward 0000.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.Ward 0001.JPG
WEDGelock Couplers
- Also known as London couplers
- Used on 1936|Later transit stock for LondonUnderground, GlasgowSubway, IsleOfWight lines
- FullAuto Coupling; FullAuto Decoupling
- Maximum Ratings: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- Typical Service: Draft ?kLb ?kN, Tonnage ?USTon ?MetricTon
- File:RailCarCoupler.Wedg 0000.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.Wedg 0001.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.Wedg 0002.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.Wedg 0003.JPGFile:RailCarCoupler.Wedg 0004.JPG
- http://www.trainweb.org/districtdave/html/coupling___uncoupling.html
