Mechanisms Railroad Couplers

[@AndreySloan_is_a_cnut]

I wish you’d included a couple of images of them coupling, then pulling away under load. As amazing as the coupling/uncoupling action of them is, to me their ability to maintain integrity while pulling an entire train (the the slack action associated therewith) is what is truly amazing!

[@peteengard9966]

I was waiting for the explanation and tear down to show the ramps, cam, and locking pins.

[@peteacher52]

This video with a simple slomo view has settled questions I sort of thought I had the answers to, but didn't. Thank you.

[@Modeltnick]

Never could figure out how these worked. Good video. Thanks!

[@Physicsduck]

Glad to help! I hope you enjoyed learning something new :)

[@captainboing]

thanks for just getting down to business. I watched a few vids that showed *how* to do it, but not what actually happens. Thanks.

[@skuula]

In Europe, we still have archaic link and buffers. No railroad wants to be the first to take the expense to switch to automatic. Despite being ridiculously primitive, at least they are absolutely jolt free in passenger service.

[@anthonyiannone7618]

in the usa these style couplers are for freight trains , the draft gear has plenty of slack to allow the loco to get the train moving easier. Passenger trains use a different type of coupler a "tight lock " if you will . Pretty much no slack at all

[@parthobasistha6135]

Many thanks Mr. Boden. I am from india. The video is very interesting showing elaborately the function of centre buffer couplers. Most of the wagons and new generation coaches in india are equipped with cbc replacing screw couplers. Can you make a video like this on functioning of draft gears and possible causes of yoke pin hole elongation causing train parting. Regards

[@HillOrStream]

I wonder why this tech never spread beyond North America.

[@majorwoody1720]

I found a knuckle laying on the side of the tracks at a crossing so I threw it in the truck. Im trying to identify what kind it is

[@williefleete]

robot secret handshake

[@Manzie1000]

I heard that keeping one knuckle closed helps when you’re having trouble hooking up...not sure why though?

[@robertbowman3406]

These couplers are obsolete on railroad cars in main line service these days. The FRA put an end to using them as they had a habit of uncoupling by themselves. I am not starting an argument here but take a look at todays rail cars.

[@skuula]

Eh? As far as I know, they are still universally used in America, and have been for over 100 years. In China too, except for high speed services. Who are the FRA? There are many other automatic coupler systems, but apart from the Soviet SA3 and this one, they are all too weak for heavy freight use.

[@nobux717]

If reincarnation were true, I wouldn't want to come back as a railroad coupler.

[@wordcarr8750]

My grandfather, back in the 1920's, held patents for a number of coupler inventions. One in particular, I recall seeing operate in a slow motion movie, had the ability to pivot. That is, when the couplers didn't meet 'head on' but came together 'off center' from one another, the yokes would pivot slightly so that the couplers still mated properly. I wonder if that concept was found to be unnecessary, so that couplers don't swivel today?

[@Physicsduck]

They do indeed still swivel in their mounts. It also allows trains to turn corners.

[@peterrobinson270]

The “locking pins” - are they spring loaded or just rely on gravity to drop them?

[@Physicsduck]

Just gravity....but it's a fair bit of gravity.

[@dinah6894]

Thank you Mr. Andrew Jackson Beard.

[@RestrictedProceed]

Great video, it really helps understand how these couplers work. Now I'm wondering, what would happen if you tried to couple two cars with the couplers already closed and locked?

[@realBaronFletcher]

The outer knuckles would hit each other and make a racket. Possibly the locking pin could be bent and needing replacement.

[@eezyclsmooth9035]

Came here NOT really knowing how these worked, but wanted to ! I know a little more but still not 100 %. If I don't learn after 20 views , I must be "mentally" challenged. Excellent Video .

[@popps2502]

Nice video Chris very detail.

[@CRFProductions2023]

Easy to work the couplers. I figured it out a while ago. They're just heavy as fuck.

[@rachis83]

What are the pipes for and do they couple automatically?

[@Physicsduck]

Those are compressed air hoses for the brake system. They uncouple automatically, but have to be connected manually.

[@rachis83]

@@Physicsduck thanks!

[@republicintercontinental-6305]

Nokia's booting animation . . .

[@Phordless_Cone]

the voiceover at the beginning was just in my left ear, really screwed with my head

[@Physicsduck]

yeah I'm still working on doing better with these edits. We'll get there.

[@ravidramodi6900]

Salute to the engineer who invented it just need half second to join two cars or engine. Wow...

[@EdwardT9]

Janey

[@user-bc3xn3vw4d]

Eli Janney invented the Coupler which was then later improved by Andrew Beard to become know as the Jenny Coupler. It’s definitely a fascinating invention.

[@braddooley9586]

Buck eye

[@fookutube501]

Any one know train coupling strength or breaking strength

[@chuckmvs]

Grade C steel coupler strength = 350,000 lbs. Grade E steel = 500,000 Couplers are only as good as the engineer driving the train.

[@AndreySloan_is_a_cnut]

@@chuckmvs - Very interesting, that’s exactly the question which came to my mind watching the video. I’m in awe of the pounding these things take and still hold together.

[@starwolf621]

Cool! :)