What is the part of the train called that connects the different cars?

Question

And if there is more than one name to the pieces, what are they? Thanks!

Answer 1

The knuckle, which opens and closes locked is at the outer most part of the drawbar, which is connected to the frames of the car.

When two rail cars are joined together, it is the knuckles that hold them together and stop them separating by locking closed!

Answer 2

Couplers.

Sometimes called Knuckle couplers

Answer 3

There are many components to coupling systems, collectively referred to as "draft gear."  There is the knuckle, knuckle pin, the pull pin, the draw bar, coupler pocket, keeper and "cutting lever" that operates the pull pin to allow the knuckle to open when wanting to uncouple the cars.

In addition, there are many different draft gear systems, including end of car cushioning, sliding sill and rigid as the basic types.  Cushioning is achieved by a spring loaded coupler pocket or spring loaded system where the entire sill of the car moves.

There are different types of knuckles as well.  The two main types are "F" type or "E" type.  They differ only on one corner

on the part that fits into the draw bar.  Standard draft gear usually takes the E coupler, while cushioned draft gear uses the F type.

In addition, there are used "shelf" couplers.  These have an external male / female interlocking affair that is useful in controlling jack knifing or, for full shelf couplers, the reduce the tendency of one car trying ride up on the other during a derailment.  These are usually found on passenger equipment or on cars that carry hazardous materials, usually tank cars.

Answer 4

its called the coupling...

Answer 5

I think you're referring to couplers. In the United States and most other parts of the world, railroads use automatic knuckle couplers, which allow the conductor to stand at a safe distance when making a coupling. There are also air hoses between cars for braking, and various electrical and air jumpers between locomotives to allow operation of multiple units in tandem.

Answer 6

The others are sort of correct in naming knuckles, but they are referring to just one particular design of equipment that is a little outdated these days. Modern times, particularly in Europe and on mass-transit railways, the couplings are more than just "knuckles" and automatically connect air hoses and electrical control equipment without the need for manual intervention. With the basic knuckles used in places like the US, you have to connect air hoses separately and often times electrical control equipment cannot be connected.

Other variations of couplings include:

- s***w (very outdated; rarely used)

- SA-3

- Link and pin

- Scharfenberg

- Buckeye

- Janney

- Dellner

- Tightlock

- Wedgelock

- BSI

Note that some of the above are very similar, if not the same, in design.

Answer 7

You can safely call these Alliance Automatic Couplers.  The knuckle is the part that "bangs" together, thus ensuring a good grip and hold.  If, in the case of an unexpected Knuckle failure, I would presume then, that the sidechain hooks would hold the vehicles together.  Other than that, the WHB airhoses would fall apart with a "pop' and halt the Train.

Does this help you ?