Railway coupling by country explained
The railcar couplers or couplings listed, described, and depicted below are used worldwide on legacy and modern railways. Compatible and similar designs are frequently referred to using widely differing make, brand, regional or nick names, which can make describing standard or typical designs confusing. Dimensions and ratings noted in these articles are usually of nominal or typical components and systems, though standards and practices also vary widely with railway, region, and era. Transition between incompatible coupler types may be accomplished using dual couplings, a coupling adapter or a barrier wagon.
Coupler types
See main article: Railway coupling.
- ABC coupler (Automatic Buffing Contact)[1] [2]
- Albert coupler
- bell and hook coupler
- BSI coupler (Bergische Stahl Industrie)
- buffers and chain coupler, also known as British, buffers and screw, English, EU, link and hook, UIC, or UK coupler
- center buffer and chains coupler
- Digital automatic coupling (DAC)[3]
- GF coupler
- Henricot coupler
- H2C coupler
- Janney coupler, also known as AAR, APT, ARA, CB, center buffer, knuckle, MCB or tightlock coupler[4] [5]
- Johnston link and pin coupler
- link and pin coupler
- Miller coupler
- Norwegian coupler, also known as chopper or Jones coupler
- pin and cup coupler (WABCO N-Type)
- SA-3, also known as SovietAuto-3, AK69e, CA-3, Russian or Willison coupler
- Scharfenberg coupler, also known as Dellner, Schaku or Voith coupler
- While different Scharfenburg couplers may be mechanically compatible, they may be electrically incompatible.
- Shibata coupler
- Ward coupler[6]
- Wedglock coupler, also known as London or Tube coupler
Africa
Algeria
See main article: Rail transport in Algeria.
Angola
See main article: Rail transport in Angola.
Botswana
See main article: Rail transport in Botswana.
Benin
See main article: Rail transport in Benin.
Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire
See main article: Rail transport in Burkina Faso and Rail transport in Côte d'Ivoire.
Cameroon
See main article: Rail transport in Cameroon.
Congo~Brazzaville
See main article: Rail transport in the Republic of the Congo.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
See main article: Rail transport in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Egypt
See main article: Rail transport in Egypt.
Eritrea
See main article: Rail transport in Eritrea.
Ethiopia
See main article: Rail transport in Ethiopia.
Gabon
See main article: Rail transport in Gabon.
Ghana
See main article: Rail transport in Ghana.
Kenya
Liberia
See main article: Rail transport in Liberia.
Malawi
See main article: Rail transport in Malawi.
Mali
See main article: Rail transport in Mali.
Mauritania
See main article: Rail transport in Mauritania.
Morocco
See main article: Rail transport in Morocco.
Mozambique
See main article: Rail transport in Mozambique.
Nigeria
See main article: Rail transport in Nigeria.
Senegal
See main article: Rail transport in Senegal.
South Africa
See main article: Rail transport in South Africa.
- Buffers and chain coupler from 1859 to 1873.[22]
- Johnston link-and-pin from 1873 to 1927 on Cape gauge, from 1906 on narrow gauge in Natal.[23] [24]
- Bell-and-hook from 1902 on narrow gauge in the Cape of Good Hope.[24] [25]
- AAR knuckle wide use from 1927 on Cape gauge. The first application of these couplers in what is now South Africa was in 1904 by the ultra-progressive Central South African Railways (CSAR) on their rolling stock for the "Limited Expresses" between Johannesburg and Pretoria.[26] [27] [28]
- Willison from 1973 on narrow gauge in the Cape Province.[24]
- WABCO N-Type from 1984 on 6M EMU rolling stock. Also used on class 8M EMU rolling stock built from 1988.
- Scharfenberg from 2012 on Gautrain, from 2016 on new PRASA EM01 commuter stock.
Sudan
See main article: Rail transport in Sudan.
Tanzania
See main article: Rail transport in Tanzania.
Togo
See main article: Rail transport in Togo.
Tunisia
See main article: Rail transport in Tunisia.
Uganda
Asia
Bangladesh
Cambodia
See main article: Rail transport in Cambodia.
China
See main article: Rail transport in China.
- AAR couplers on most passenger and freight stock
- A variation of Shibata couplers between 25T passenger coaches (AAR couplers between Bombardier-built coaches)
- Scharfenberg couplers on high speed (CRH) and subway trains
Hong Kong
See main article: Rail transport in Hong Kong.
- BSI couplers on ex-MTR passenger units and maintenance stock
- Tightlock couplers on ex-KCR passenger units
- Dellner couplers on light rail stock
- AAR couplers on freight stock
India
See main article: Rail transport in India.
Indonesia
See main article: Rail transport in Indonesia.
- English couplers on historic stock of Nederlandsch-Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij (Dutch East Indies Railway Company)
- Norwegian couplers on gauge historic stock of The Dutch East Indies National Railway Company and the majority of the Dutch East Indies Private Railway and Tramway Companies
- AAR couplers and Shibata couplers on modern stock
- Scharfenberg couplers for the Jakarta - Bandung high speed rail and Soekarno Hatta Airport skytrain.
- Shibata couplers (based on Scharfenberg couplers) for Jakarta LRT
- Dellner coupler for Greater Jakarta LRT
Iran
See main article: Rail transport in Iran.
Iraq
See main article: Rail transport in Iraq.
Israel
See main article: Rail transport in Israel.
Japan
See main article: Rail transport in Japan.
North Korea
See main article: Rail transport in North Korea.
South Korea
See main article: Rail transport in South Korea.
Malaysia
See main article: Rail transport in Malaysia.
Pakistan
Philippines
See main article: Rail transportation in the Philippines.
Russia
See main article: Rail transport in Russia.
Singapore
See main article: Rail transport in Singapore.
Sri Lanka
See main article: Rail transport in Sri Lanka.
Taiwan
See main article: Rail transport in Taiwan.
Thailand
See main article: Rail transport in Thailand.
Turkey
See main article: Rail transport in Turkey.
Vietnam
See main article: Rail transport in Vietnam.
Europe
Austria
See main article: Rail transport in Austria.
Belgium
See main article: Rail transport in Belgium.
- GF coupler on most multiple units
- Henricot semi automatic couplers on some EMU's
- English couplers on locomotives, passenger carriages and goods waggons
- Scharfenberg couplers on high speed trains
Finland
See main article: Rail transport in Finland.
- English couplers (UIC) on passenger cars and most freight cars and on historical locomotives
- Russian SA3 couplers on Russian cars and some heavy-duty freight cars
- "Unilink couplers" (SA3 clone with UIC-style screw link) or "Vapiti" (SA3 clone with movable link arm for English couplers) couplers on the majority of locomotives; compatible with SA3 and English (UIC) center hook
- Scharfenberg couplers (some made by Dellner) on multiple unit passenger stock
France
See main article: Rail transport in France.
Germany
See main article: Rail transport in Germany.
Greece
See main article: Rail transport in Greece.
Hungary
See main article: Rail transport in Hungary.
Ireland
See main article: Rail transport in Ireland.
Italy
See main article: Rail transport in Italy.
Netherlands
See main article: Rail transport in the Netherlands.
Norway
See main article: Rail transport in Norway.
Poland
See main article: Rail transport in Poland.
Portugal
See main article: Rail transport in Portugal.
Romania
See main article: Rail transport in Romania.
Russia
See main article: Rail transport in Russia.
Spain
See main article: Rail transport in Spain.
Sweden
See main article: Rail transport in Sweden.
Switzerland
See main article: Rail transport in Switzerland.
Ukraine
See main article: Rail transport in Ukraine.
United Kingdom
See main article: Rail transport in Great Britain.
- BSI couplers on most diesel multiple unit types, but also Dellner and Scharfenberg on some more recent types
- AAR Type H "Tightlock coupling" heads on 1970s to early 2000s electric multiple units
- Scharfenberg type heads (often Dellner) on most new electric multiple units, with a variety of electrical connection systems
- English coupler, AAR couplers on some freight stock, most locomotive-hauled passenger stock has a rd size Janney/Buckeye coupler
- Wedglock couplers, Ward couplers on London Underground stock
- Narrow gauge lines use various couplings
Isle of Man
See main article: Rail transport in the Isle of Man.
Caribbean
Cuba
See main article: Rail transport in Cuba.
Jamaica
See main article: Rail transport in Jamaica.
Central America
Belize
See main article: rail transport in Belize.
Costa Rica
See main article: rail transport in Costa Rica.
El Salvador
See main article: Rail transport in El Salvador.
Guatemala
See main article: rail transport in Guatemala.
Honduras
See main article: rail transport in Honduras.
Nicaragua
See main article: rail transport in Nicaragua.
Panama
See main article: rail transport in Panama.
North America
Canada
See main article: Rail transport in Canada.
Mexico
See main article: Rail transport in Mexico.
United States
See main article: Rail transport in the United States.
Alaska
Puerto Rico
See main article: Rail transport in Puerto Rico.
Oceania
Australia
See main article: Rail transport in Australia.
New Zealand
See main article: Rail transport in New Zealand.
South America
Argentina
See main article: Rail transport in Argentina.
Bolivia
See main article: Rail transport in Bolivia.
Brazil
See main article: Rail transport in Brazil.
Chile
See main article: Rail transport in Chile.
Colombia
See main article: Rail transport in Colombia.
Ecuador
See main article: Rail transport in Ecuador.
Paraguay
See main article: Rail transport in Paraguay.
Peru
Uruguay
See main article: Rail transport in Uruguay.
- English Couplers (Main stock)
- Janney Coupler (Brill 55, Brill 60 and previously Ganz 38 Motorcars; previpuly Simmering-Graz-Pauker DMUs and Coaches; Ganz-Mavag DMUs and Coaches)
- Pin and cup Coupler (Uerdinger Railbus and trailers)
Venezuela
See main article: Rail transport in Venezuela.
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: ABC Couplers. 4 November 2014.
- http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/Transport/Trains/ABC/ABC01.htm ABC couplers
- https://rail-research.europa.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/DAC-Factsheet_EN.pdf DAC
- Web site: Coupler conversion. 4 November 2014.
- Web site: Centre Buffer Coupler of AAR type. 4 November 2014.
- Web site: Ward coupler. 4 November 2014.
- [Jane's World Railways]
- News: Angola's railways back on track. BBC News. 16 September 2010.
- Web site: Steam in Africa . 2013-12-27 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120314161737/http://www.steam.dial.pipex.com/africa.htm . 2012-03-14 .
- Web site: Rail pictures. 4 November 2014.
- Web site: Rail pictures. 4 November 2014.
- Web site: :: Besco Limited :: Clients . 2009-03-25 . 2009-01-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090127002958/http://besco.in/clients.htm . dead .
- Web site: RailPictures.Net Photo: 3864 Egyptian railways (ENR) EMD G22W-AC at Kafr el Shiekh, Egypt by mohamed. 4 November 2014.
- Web site: Il Materiale Rotabile. 16 October 2011.
- Web site: The Franco-Ethiopian Railway — Djibouti to Addis-Ababa. 4 November 2014.
- Web site: trans zambesia locomotive, AEI, malawi locomotive, nigeria locomotive. 4 November 2014.
- Web site: IN NORTHERN AFRICA. 4 November 2014.
- Web site: Standard Gauge: Work begins on Ebute Meta ultra-modern railway station – NRC – the Eagle Online. https://web.archive.org/web/20190706121528/https://theeagleonline.com.ng/standard-gauge-work-begins-on-ebute-meta-ultra-modern-railway-station-nrc/. 2019-07-06. 8 August 2018.
- Web site: Nigerian Railway Corporation - Locomotives . www.topforge.co.uk . 12 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080623035448/http://www.topforge.co.uk/Photographs/NRC.htm . 23 June 2008 . dead.
- Web site: ABC Couplers . www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk . 12 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090521124013/http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/Transport/Trains/ABC/ABC01.htm . 21 May 2009 . dead.
- Web site: The Railways of Mali and Senegal 2007. 4 November 2014.
- Espitalier, T.J.; Day, W.A.J. (1943). The Locomotive in South Africa - A Brief History of Railway Development. Chapter I - The Period of the 4 ft. 8½ in. Gauge. South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, June 1943. pp. 437-440.
- Espitalier, T.J.; Day, W.A.J. (1944). The Locomotive in South Africa - A Brief History of Railway Development. Chapter III - Natal Government Railways (Continued). South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, September 1944. p. 669.
- Suid-Afrikaanse Vervoerdienste (South African Transport Services) (1983). Passassierswa- en Trokhandboek (Passenger Carriage and Truck Manual), Vol 1, Hoofstukke 1-15 (Chapters 1-15). South African Transport Services, 1983. Chapter 13.
- Espitalier, T.J.; Day, W.A.J. (1944). The Locomotive in South Africa - A Brief History of Railway Development. Chapter II - The Cape Government Railways (Continued). South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, April 1944. pp. 253-257.
- South African Railways & Harbours/Suid Afrikaanse Spoorweë en Hawens (15 Aug 1941). Locomotive Diagram Book/Lokomotiefdiagramboek, 2'0" & 3'6" Gauge/Spoorwydte, Steam Locomotives/Stoomlokomotiewe. SAR/SAS Mechanical Department/Werktuigkundige Dept. Drawing Office/Tekenkantoor, Pretoria. pp. 6a-7a, 25.
- At least some versions of the automatic couplers used in South Africa follows the Henricot coupler patent and not the AAR version.
The following note is given on drawing CME10719-478/68 "Automatic Coupler, type MS (127 mm x 140 mm)", also referred to as SASKOP (Suid-Afrikaanse Spoorweë Koppelaar - South African Railways Coupler):
"The copyright in this drawing vests in "Société Anonyme Usines Emile Henricot of Court-Saint-Étienne", Belgium. The said company is also the owner of the patent in respect of the automatic coupler covered by this drawing."
- Web site: Soul of A Railway, System 7, Natalspruit to Vereeniging – Part 1. Pivnic. Les. 2018-09-01. 2020-10-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20201024151648/https://sites.google.com/site/soulorailway/home/system-7-1/natalspruit-to-vereeniging-part-1-by-les-pivnic. dead.
- http://www.locopage.net/sud-1700.jpg Locopage
- Web site: Tamil Nadu / Tiruchi News : Rs. 80-crore target for railway spares export. https://web.archive.org/web/20050312085809/http://www.hindu.com/2004/11/11/stories/2004111112590600.htm. dead. 12 March 2005. The Hindu. 2004-11-11. 4 November 2014.
- Web site: Centre Buffer coupler of AAR type. 4 November 2014.
- Web site: [IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Rolling Stock – II]. 4 November 2014.
- [Jane's World Railways]
- Web site: Links to information about railways in Iraq . 2008-08-03 . 2008-10-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081001190300/http://www.ajg41.clara.co.uk/iraq/links.html . dead .
- Railway Gazette International Aug 2008 p517
- Procurement of Eight (8) Units Flats Cars (Re-bid) . Philippine National Railways . 30 June 2021.
- Web site: Steam Locomotives Operated by Hawaiian-Philippine Company . www.internationalsteam.co.uk . 13 May 2003 . 23 August 2021.
- 中国首列出口菲律宾动车组亮相 "储能"加"智能" 定义未来城市轨道交通. China's first EMU exported to the Philippines debuts with "energy storage" and "intelligence" to define future urban rail transit. MangoTV. Hunan Happy Sunshine Interactive Entertainment Media. 9 July 2022.
- Web site: Connect and Protect. Coupler and Front End Systems. Voith.
- Web site: History and Future Prospects of Rolling Stock Parts. Japan Steel Works Industrial Machinery Dept., Hiroshima Plant. Teruyuki. Aida. Yusuke. Nishimi. Atsunori. Yamaguchi. Noriaki. Oonuma. "JSW began to consider coupler device for overseas, and delivered our products to Singapore for new transportation systems in 2000.".
- Book: 蘇 . 昭旭 . 世界鐵道與火車百科. 2017 . Taiwan . 人人出版. 9789864610884.
- Web site: 臺北捷運C381型高運量電聯車. OTIS Wang. 雪花台灣.
- [:File:08-130 Esclusas de Miraflores (23).jpg]
- [:File:TrenUrbano.jpg]
- http://www.grandscales.com/articles/Jackel%20article.pdf [Ferrocarril Pierda Baya]
- [Jane's World Railways]
- [Railway Gazette International]
- Web site: trains-worldexpresses.com. 4 November 2014.