Cushion underframes go back a little farther:
http://steamerafreightcars.com/prototype/frtcars/protoduryeamain.html
Sheldon
NWP SWP That cushioned coupler looks like it would be a pretty good idea. Did they work well?
That cushioned coupler looks like it would be a pretty good idea. Did they work well?
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
mbinsewi Wasn't there just a recent discussion about SF "cushioned under frame box cars" that also included the "cushioned couplers" ? Great link, Overmod. Mike.
Wasn't there just a recent discussion about SF "cushioned under frame box cars" that also included the "cushioned couplers" ?
Great link, Overmod.
Mike.
Yes, in a thread I started a week or two back, asking of ATSF's "shock control" slogan meant cushioned underframe.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/13/t/268611.aspx
Walthers makes a plastic extended coupler pocket that simulates the appearance of cushioned underframe, at least when it is stretched out. Details West makes a more detailed metal version. In addition to a "working" cushioned underframe that Kadee came out with, John Armstrong wrote an article about how to scratch build one - in O scale but perhaps usable in HO.
I gather some cushioned underframes are spring based, others are or were hydraulic.
The Kadee Coupler (No. 6?) that Doctor Wayne shows was similar to what Varney had for a dummy knuckle coupler back in the 1950s - a spring part of the draft gear. But the spring was stiff so there was no slow pulling out of the draft gear as there is with a prototype cushioned underframe when a train starts.
I recall reading that switch crews were and are cautious around cushioned underframe cars as the springs compress and hold the compression sometimes, and then spontaneously and unexpectedly release it sending the coupler itself out 10 or 20 inches. Some guys were injured if they were unlucky enough to be standing too near or walking past the coupler when that happened.
Dave Nelson
OvermodSome may find the contemporary historical details in this court case interesting; I have not seen a technical reference that brings so many of the aspects together in one place in reasonably plain language. https://m.openjurist.org/393/f2d/83/pullman-incorporated-v-acf-industries-incorporated
You're right...I certainly did find it interesting. Thanks for that link.
Wayne
Well, I apparently mis-remembered the set-up, as the spring was inboard of the post on which the coupler pivotted - the cushioning action was in the "pull" mode, as you can see below...
As you can also see, the draught gear box is, like the coupler, all-metal, and also like some all-metal rolling stock of the time, with sprung metal trucks with brass wheels, one side insulated. A truck, accidentally turned around, could result in vapourised knuckle springs.The lid of the box was rivetted in-place by the modeller. Most of mine were attached to the cars with Pliobond contact cement - sometimes difficult to remove from the car over 25 years after they were installed.The still-assembled coupler seen in the same photo shows the straight pin projecting below the coupler's knuckle, which afforded remote automatic uncoupling if the uncoupling ramp, a diamond-shaped metal casting, was elevated as the train passed over it.
Later versions of the coupler came with a short piece of steel wire which was to be inserted into the centring spring before assembly. It was about half the length of the spring, and intended to prevent the spring from becoming fully compressed, and perhaps unserviceable.
NWP SWPHas anyone considered a spring cushioned draft gear box for models?
...and if you mean the "Cushioned Underframe" with the hydraulic, sliding center sill Kadee has that, too:
http://mrr.trains.com/news-reviews/staff-reviews/2008/08/kadee-ho-boxcar
Friction, and rubber draft gear predates this by many years.
Good Luck, Ed
NWP SWP Has anyone considered a spring cushioned draft gear box for models?
Has anyone considered a spring cushioned draft gear box for models?
Some may find the contemporary historical details in this court case interesting; I have not seen a technical reference that brings so many of the aspects together in one place in reasonably plain language.
NVSRR Sounds line more of a road option than a being included in specific car design.
Sounds line more of a road option than a being included in specific car design.
At one time maybe. Modern box cars and reefers have them. Coil steel cars, center beam lumber flats, 89' flats and autoracks have them. The 60 or 70 foot cars used for farm or construction equipment have them.
Makes train handling "fun" on a 13000' manifest when there are a lot of cushioned drawbars in the train.
Jeff
My You Tube
Here is a selection of some options from the 'cushioning revolution' that followed the SRI development of hydrafriction (later 'hydracushion' but that hides the operating principle):
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
Doesn't answer your question, but found this:
"
There are basically two types of cushioning devices on freight cars that have cushioning (not all do, obviously): floating-sill and end-of-car. This ICG car has (had) a floating-sill cushion underframe. These underframes travel freely from one end of the car to the other, attached only in the center of the car. Maximum travel is usually 30 inches (older ones--pain in the posterior) or 20 inches. The actual cushioning device is supposed to absorb shocks and return the car to center.
End-of-car cushioning has been around as long as floating-sill devices, but weren't very popular until the mid-1970s, when all of SSI/Itel's "cushion service" cars came out. These basically absorb the impact at both ends within the drawbar assembly--travel is usually 10 or 15 inches. Most modern box cars have end-of-car cushioning.
Carl"
Cushion underframe cars have been around since at least the 1950's. "Hydra-Cushion" invented about 1954 by SRI International for the Southern Pacific. There were prior systems (the Western Pacific had cushion underframe cars in 1952) and other systems hace been developed and used.
An identifing feature of cushion underframe cars is that the couplers stick out further from the ends than an non cushoned cars.
In the 50's-70's (maybe latter) railroads advertised their cushon underframe cars with "Hydra Cushion", "Cushion Underframe", "Cushioned", "Hydroframe", "Shock Control", etc painted on the sides.
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Ideas for cushion underframes go back a long way - from the Official Gazette of the US Pantent Office Vol 200 Mar 24, 1914
https://books.google.com/books?id=kd42OYMLNt4C&pg=PA984&lpg=PA984&dq=cushioned+underframe+patent&source=bl&ots=eitw_Ko2h8&sig=cZdBML4KqE3UbqdZ3J2fLLCg12U&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj4l4CThffZAhVKPN8KHX-WBUwQ6AEISjAJ#v=onepage&q=cushioned%20underframe%20patent&f=false
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
what boxcar types use the cushion coupler pockets?
Wolfie