Closeup of the two kinds of couplers used on this Belfast & Moosehead Lake 70-ton GE diesel in Maine. European arrangement is for use with cars from Sweden, which came with the 4-6-0 they also operate. The latter is said to have returned to service recently.

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=200407222011491664.jpg&bydate%3A5
ryarger@rypn.org

> Closeup of the two kinds of couplers used on
> this Belfast & Moosehead Lake 70-ton GE
> diesel in Maine. European arrangement is for
> use with cars from Sweden, which came with
> the 4-6-0 they also operate. The latter is
> said to have returned to service recently.

What kind of FRA waiver do you have to get to run buffers and loose links in service?

Another dumb question; is that stuff Vacuum or Air Braked?

> What kind of FRA waiver do you have to get
> to run buffers and loose links in service?
I dont know about any FRA waiver ( Im a Norwegian )- the coupler is a standart 30 ton UIC ( european ) coupler. Max trainlength 850 meters

> Another dumb question; is that stuff Vacuum
> or Air Braked?
Its air braked - also standard european system with a main brakeline truogh the train that holds 5 kg/square centimeter when free rolling, if pressure drops to 4 kgs you will typically have about 2 kgs in all the trains brake cylinders. To release brakes, just rise the pressure to 5 kgs - the brakes releases in 8 to 12 seconds i P-brake-posistion - a bit longer time with an 800 meter train than with a 180 meter train. If the brakeline snaps off or a simmilar funny event occurs the airpressure will drop to zero and the brakes will go into emergency - train stops so quick that you wont belive it.

regards Ragnar

> What kind of FRA waiver do you have to get
> to run buffers and loose links in service?

That is not a "loose" coupling but what is described as a "screw" coupling. To couple up, run up to and compress the buffers, put the loose end over the hook or the other vehicle and wind up the screw. If done properly there is no "slack action".

G

gavin@hamilton.powernet.co.uk

I don't know about any F.R.A. waiver, but between the cars, Amtrak's French Turboliners had screw links and buffers, and maybe Amtrak's Spanish TALGO trains. (The ends of the sets had knuckles applied in America.) I'm sure the American versions of each have knuckle couplers throughout.

104577.651@compuserve.com

> I don't know about any F.R.A. waiver, but
> between the cars, Amtrak's French
> Turboliners had screw links and buffers, and
> maybe Amtrak's Spanish TALGO trains. (The
> ends of the sets had knuckles applied in
> America.) I'm sure the American versions of
> each have knuckle couplers throughout.

Knuckles, or buckeyes, are quite common in the UK but these days every different type of stock seems to come with a different type of coupler designed to do all the brake and electrical connections. Each type is totally incompatible with any other type. I suppose this is called progress.

G


gavin@hamilton.powernet.co.uk