Coupler used between Class 67 and Coaching stock

[bronzeonion]

Evening guys,

Why when Class 67s coupled to coaching stock, the automatic coupling is not swung round and used rather than the conventional screw coupling that always seems to be used.

I have heard the automatic coupling is not actually a buckeye and is really a full size knuckle coupler only for use on the DBS HTA wagons, would just like some confirmation really.

Thanks!

 

[badassunicorn]

I thought tichtlock/buckeye had to be used for coaches in service?

 

[34D]

I thought tichtlock/buckeye had to be used for coaches in service?

Tightlock and buckeye are different.... but yes, the autocoupler needs to be used between passenger coaches. This question concerns between the loco and the first coach

 

[DBE]

I believe buckeye does not have an electrical connection, but tightlock does. The screw coupling from the class 67 would be used securing to the hook of the coach, with the relevant electrical and air connections made manually

 

[LowLevel]

I presume it's because the coupler is designed for use with particular wagons, and class 67s aren't fitted with rubbing plates for use against buckeyed coaching stock corridor connections anyway, hence the screw coupling being used. Class 90s being fitted with buckeyes and rubbing plates generally use them.

 

[bronzeonion]

I presume it's because the coupler is designed for use with particular wagons, and class 67s aren't fitted with rubbing plates for use against buckeyed coaching stock corridor connections anyway, hence the screw coupling being used. Class 90s being fitted with buckeyes and rubbing plates generally use them.

I'm wondering if the coupling actually is a buckeye at all on the 67?

 

[DownSouth]

The important bit is that the 'buckeye' coupler on the Class 67 is the proper AAR specification (obviously ordered that way to match certain EWS wagon fleets) while the similar-looking couplers on coaches in Britain are a 2/3 scaled version of the AAR spec. Change the size like that and they become so completely different that the similarity means nothing at all.

If Class 90 locomotives are not having this "problem" that would be because the fleet on regular passenger use have been fitted with the smaller copy rather than the full-size version for heavy freight use.

 

[bronzeonion]

The important bit is that the 'buckeye' coupler on the Class 67 is the proper AAR specification (obviously ordered that way to match certain EWS wagon fleets) while the similar-looking couplers on coaches in Britain are a 2/3 scaled version of the AAR spec. Change the size like that and they become so completely different that the similarity means nothing at all.

If Class 90 locomotives are not having this "problem" that would be because the fleet on regular passenger use have been fitted with the smaller copy rather than the full-size version for heavy freight use.

Thank you

 

[matchmaker]

The majority of locomotive to coaching stock couplings are (and have been for a long time) screw. The only buckeyes on locos I can think of were on some 33's and on 43's and 91's. Someone has stated above that 90's are being fitted as well.

The daddy of them all has to be the Gresley corridor tenders on some A3's and A4's.

 

[455driver]

33/1s, 90s and 91s were all fitted with drophead buckeyes and rubbing plates so they could push coaches around (they are nasty like that ), the 90s allocated to freight had them removed and screw couplings fitted but when they were used on passenger trains they wouldnt be allowed to push but it was decided that it would be okay so there was no need to refit the buckeyes and rubbing plates.

When hauling a train either a screwlink or buckeye will do but when pushing the loco had to use the buckeye and rubbing plate, its the rubbing plate which absorbs the compressive forces.

 

[bishdunster]

33/1s, 90s and 91s were all fitted with drophead buckeyes and rubbing plates so they could push coaches around (they are nasty like that ), the 90s allocated to freight had them removed and screw couplings fitted but when they were used on passenger trains they wouldnt be allowed to push but it was decided that it would be okay so there was no need to refit the buckeyes and rubbing plates.

When hauling a train either a screwlink or buckeye will do but when pushing the loco had to use the buckeye and rubbing plate, its the rubbing plate which absorbs the compressive forces.

And don't forget the class 73s and 74s, they were bossy pushers too !

 

[TDK]

For the buckeye coupling on a 67 to be used for coaching stock it needs to be re-profiled and if that was done it would not be able to connect to wagons it was designed to connect to. The screw coupling is more than adequate. The only time I have seen the buckeye used on a 67 in passenger service is when 2 class 67's are in multi. The class 67 has an RCH cable and also a jumper cable that connects to the Mk3 stock and all coaching stock run with class 67's have to be modified if run with a DVT.

 

[DownSouth]

For the buckeye coupling on a 67 to be used for coaching stock it needs to be re-profiled ...

Try 'replaced' instead of 'reprofiled' - the British buckey coupler is a copy of the AAR standard Janney coupler that has been scaled down to 2/3 (67%) size compared to the proper AAR standard.

There is no way that you could 'reprofile' a coupler to fit the standard and the miniature versions at the same time without losing the advantages a Janney coupler has for freight compared to chain/buffers.

 

[455driver]

The class 67 has an RCH cable and also a jumper cable that connects to the Mk3 stock and all coaching stock run with class 67's have to be modified if run with a DVT.

Only if the 67 is going to work in push mode with them, it can pull any coaches.

 

[zn1]

drophead buckeye, locoscrew, rch cable and 27 way jumper conn, there are no tightlocks on MK3 or 67 locos...

 

[dubscottie]

The 67's were able to couple directly to HST Mk3 stock when they were doing the 125mph testing on the GWML. (67023 & 4x Virgin TS if IIRC) There was pictures in the railway press at the time.

There was also a pic of 67029 coupled to the EWS management train when it was first launched using the auto coupler & buckeye but it is gone now.. (was on fotopic)