a friend of mine was magnet fishing in a river in MAINE, and pulled in a rr freight car coupler / link & pin. both badly rusted, they look to be made of wrought iron? the link is cracked, probably why it was tossed in the river with the pin? question, when / what year were they fazed out of use? and any value? thank you for any information.

I don't know if these were cast or wrought. Wrought was more expensive/labor intensive but cast is more brittle. Someone here would know.

The Janney coupler was patented in 1873 - the basis of the standard coupler today. Automatic couplers and air brakes were mandated in 1893 by Benjamin Harris with the Safety Appliance Act. Originally intended that everything in interchange was to be converted by 1900 but IIRC, there were a few extensions.

Eric, Maine may have been a bit behind other railroads in doing the change over? so they are from the 1800's, pre 1900's ? even with all of the rust they are both rely heavy.

Without doing a bit of research, I'm not sure when the final drop dead date was for conversion of cars in interchange. Captive cars that never left home rails soldiered on with link and pin - think early MOW equipment, logging, industrial railroads, etc.

jayrod, thanks for the reply to my question. I understand more about the subject now. I think that it is a great one.