Couplers

[desert phantom]

 Hi:
Have two  questions for you experts out there: 1) why is it that in all couplers the knuckles have a transversal bore through them? Seems to me it would weaken them dramatically and lead to high knuckle failures. Obviously, there is a reason for this bore. What purpose does it serve?
2) Going back in time, remember that AT&SF F-units and E-units had what I call a little "door" mechanism on the face of the knuckle. After the demise of the F's and the E's, I haven't ever seen them again.What was its purpose?  Would appreciate any info concerning these questions.Till then, I thank you in advance and appreciate your interest.

Cas 5030

[TomDiehl]

 Hi:
Have two  questions for you experts out there: 1) why is it that in all couplers the knuckles have a transversal bore through them? Seems to me it would weaken them dramatically and lead to high knuckle failures. Obviously, there is a reason for this bore. What purpose does it serve?
2) Going back in time, remember that AT&SF F-units and E-units had what I call a little "door" mechanism on the face of the knuckle. After the demise of the F's and the E's, I haven't ever seen them again.What was its purpose?  Would appreciate any info concerning these questions.Till then, I thank you in advance and appreciate your interest.

Cas 5030

1. The bore dates back to the earliest days of the knuckle coupler, so they would be compatable with the link and pin couplings. The bore is on modern couplers to allow for, among other things, connecting to work train equipment that still uses drawbars. Regular railroaders may be able to tell us about some other uses.

2. That little door mechanism again dates back farther than the early F units, and was not unique to the Santa Fe. Many of the later steam locomotives had them, mainly passenger units, and it was done for appearance, to present a smooth front on both the steam and early diesel locomotives. They went by the wayside when the railroads decided they were more trouble than they were worth.

[NeO6874]

1. Can't help you much there (I don't have a picture of a coupler handy to look at to even attempt to answer the question)

2. If it was on the front of the loco - a lot of passenger locos had "hideable" couplers, so the front of a train would look better (IE all stainless steel or just the RR's paint scheme) - essentially it kept the streamlined look and feel for the loco, but when it was needed, the coupler could be "opened" (unhidden) so it could connect to the cars/another loco/etc.

[desert phantom]

Thanks Tom for your reply w.r.t. couplers. My 2nd question was not really stated right. I was refering to a little built in "door" on the FACE of the KNUCLE. I have a pix of it but I dont know how top transfer it to this post. I have only seen this feature on ATSF E and F units. Yes I know that many railroads did enclose the entire coupler for aestheic reasons, but it is that little door that has me puzzled. Again, thanks for your reply.

Cas 5030

[jimrice4449]

One purpose of the hole in the knuckle is to provide a place to put a red flag or fusee to serve as a marker when the last car in a movement isn't otherwise so equiped

[joseph2]

Just my opinion,but that door or notch on the face of the coupler is because: back when railroads changed from link and pin couplers to the automatic type,they needed a hole in the knuckle to couple onto the link for old link and pin cars.It might be on a F7 knuckle to allow a tow chain to attach to a coupler with a pin thru the top.    Probably wrong though      Joe

[coborn35]

Just my opinion,but that door or notch on the face of the coupler is because: back when railroads changed from link and pin couplers to the automatic type,they needed a hole in the knuckle to couple onto the link for old link and pin cars.It might be on a F7 knuckle to allow a tow chain to attach to a coupler with a pin thru the top.    Probably wrong though      Joe

I assume you are from the UK? Becasue by diesel time, (and most steamers) link and pin was long gone.

[BillyDee53]

I tried to find images of ATSF passenger equipment where I could see the door, but was unable to.  I wonder if you are seeing the tightlock couplers used on passenger equipment.  They are different from the couplers on freight equipment.  I did get a close up look at a real one this morning, and saw a flat rectangle that was cast in the knuckle jaw.  It is about 1 1/2" wide by 4" tall.  I wonder if this is what you saw.