Drop Couplers

[Anonymous]

Although I do have a few ideas myself, I would appreciate comments from others as to the purpose (form or function?) of drop couplers which often appeared on the front end of steam locomotives. I find it interesting that this design was applied to both freight and passenger locos and I think it is quite curious that despite the obvious extra expense, the PRR added drop couplers/pilots to many of their steamers during the post-war modernization program. Checking through photos of drop coupler equipped locomotives also has shown me that when not in actual use, drop couplers were almost as likely to be seen in the up position as in the down position.

[Anonymous]

In my opinion they were more for form than function. During this time frame the PRR was trying to give the impression of streamlining as a faster service and the drop coupler was used to smooth out the front end of the locomotive. As everyone found out maintenance had its way of taking the frills off (just one more thing to fix) and, while I am not sure of this I belive the couplers were lifted up and down by air assist and that took time. So why waste time and just leave it in the up position.