Janney coupler facts for kids

Mated Janney Type E couplers, as seen from above. Left is top-operated on locomotives. Right is bottom-operated on cars

Janney couplers are a semi-automatic design, also known as American, AAR, APT, ARA, MCB, knuckle, or center-buffer couplers, which were first patented in 1873 by Eli H. Janney (U.S. Patent 138,405 ). Andrew Jackson Beard was amongst various inventors that made a multitude of improvements to the knuckle coupler; Beard's patents were U.S. Patent 594,059  granted 23 November 1897, which then sold for approximately $50,000, and U.S. Patent 624,901  granted 16 May 1899.

In the UK, several versions of Janney couplers (Alliance, BuckEye|DropHead, TightLock, SwingHead...) are fitted to a limited number of coaches, multiple units, wagons and locomotives.

Janney Type E, Type F InterLock, and Type H TightLock couplers are compatible subtypes, each intended for specific rail car types: goods freight wagons, tank wagons, rotary dump gondolas, passenger coaches, etc.

Prior to the formation of the Association of American Railroads (AAR) these were known as or Master Car Builder (MCB) couplers. In 1934 the MCB was renamed as the AAR.

Knuckle couplers of the 1880s and 1890s had a chaotic mixture of proprietary internal components, but all had the standard MCB external contour, making them compatible. There was a multitude of makes and models — Burns, Climax, Gould, Miller, Sharon and Tower. Some worked better than others.

In 1913, American Steel Foundries (ASF) developed the Janney "Type D" coupler, that was then made the MCB standard coupler for North America; new and rebuilt rolling stock had to be fitted with this coupler. This standard ended the market for knuckle couplers with proprietary components, excepting those exported from the US to other countries not complying with MCB standards.

The Alliance coupler, named after the ASF-owned foundry in Alliance, Ohio, was developed as a lighter build than the "Type D", and was marketed by the Amsted Corporation, parent of ASF, as the "Standard for the World". It is still the most-used knuckle coupler in the world. The modern Alliance coupler still uses the modern AAR-10 or 10A contour, but has a shorter thus weaker head length, and thus cannot be used on North American interchanged rolling stock.

Manufacturers of modern "Type E", "Type F InterLock" and "Type H Tightlock" couplers include McConway & Torley, ASF, and Buckeye, also known as Columbus Castings.

The external contour of Janney knuckle couplers was the first aspect to be standardized by the MCB in the 1880s. Prior to this, there was a chaotic variety of constantly evolving and proprietary external contours and internal components. In 1893, manufacturers standardized on the MCB-5 or Type C contour, then in 1915 on the improved MCB-10 or Type D contour, and again in 1932 on the AAR-10A or Type E contour. The 1893, 1915, and 1932 contours are measurably different with slight dimensional changes that improved performance, yet remain compatible. Janney couplers still use the 1932 contour, though tolerances, metallurgy and machining techniques have improved, resulting in notable reductions in coupler slack. Type H TightLock couplers used on passenger stock have a variation of the 10A contour that nearly eliminates slack during normal operation and minimizes the possibility of "telescoping" during a derailment.

Images for kids

• 

  Janney Coupler Sketch From 1873 Patent

• 

  MCB5 Transition Coupler, compatible with link and pin coupling

• 

  AAR Type F Interlock couplers, rigid version at right and rotary version at left. The one on the left lost its pin and was pulled out of its coupler pocket.

• 

  AAR Type E coupler with top operator on mobile crane.

• 

  "Drophead" coupler swung down reveals buffers and chain coupler on a British Rail Class 91.

• 

  AAR Type E couplers. Upper is bottom operated on car. Lower is top operated on locomotive

• 

  AAR Type E coupler (left) c. 1932, MCB Type 5 coupler (right) required by 1893 Railroad Safety Appliance Act.

• 

  AAR Type H coupler on British Rail Class 321 with full auto power and control connections.

• 

  MCB Type 5 coupler circa 1893. Split knuckle accommodates link and pin coupler or Johnston coupler. Vertical hole in knuckle accommodates the pin. Could also have accommodated a buffers and chain coupler with an extra pin.

• 

  The diagram from Beard's 1897 coupler patent

• 

  Two AAR Type E couplers

• 

  Type E double-shelf coupler on a tank car. The double shelf holds the pair of couplers in place in a derailment, which reduces the chance of the coupler puncturing the tank.

• 

  Two type E Janney couplers