System Data for Mechanical and Electrical Coupling of Rail Vehicles

• SD001 System Data for Mechanical and Electrical Coupling of Rail Vehicles (PDF Version)
  • Mechanical Coupling system data
    • Index of Mechanical Interconnection Systems
      • By System Reference Number
      • By Vehicle Type and Class
        • Locomotives
        • Diesel and Diesel Electric Multiple Units
        • Electrical Multiple Units
        • Coaching Stock
      • Miscellaneous
    • Freight Vehicles
    • On-track machines
    • Additional data
  • Electrical Connector system data
    • Index of Electrical Interconnection Systems
      • By System Reference Number
      • By Vehicle Type and Class
        • Locomotives
        • Diesel and Diesel Electric Multiple Units
        • Electrical Multiple Units
        • Coaching Stock

Part 1 - Mechanical Coupling system data

1.1 - Index of Mechanical Interconnection Systems

1.1.1 - By System Reference Number

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1.1.2 - By Vehicle Type and Class

1.1.2.1 - Locomotives

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1.1.2.2 - Diesel and Diesel Electric Multiple Units

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1.1.2.3 - Electrical Multiple Units

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1.1.2.4 - Coaching Stock

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1.1.3 - Miscellaneous

1.1.3.1 - Cab end HST power cars

Connection points are fitted to the cab ends of HST power cars. The connection points allow rescue and assistance by other HST sets and locomotives by means of adaptor couplers carried on the vehicle.

1.1.3.2 - Wedgelock couplers

Wedgelock couplers are used on some London Underground trains and Cl483 Isle of Wight trains (which are ex London Underground trains).

1.1.3.3 - AAR type E and F couplers

AAR type E and F couplers are used on certain types of intermediate freight vehicles which operate in block formation.

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1.1.3.4 - EMU centre couplers

Centre buffer and three link couplers are used on intermediate ends of vehicles of certain types of EMU and other vehicles not used for passenger services. Some vehicles with this type of coupler are subject to imminent withdrawal.

1.2 - Freight vehicles

The freight wagon TSI is likely to mandate the fitment of screw couplings to wagons, or to the outer ends of fixed formation rakes of wagons. Currently the majority of freight vehicles are fitted at both ends with:

1. a drawhook and Screw coupler
2. a drawhook and Instanter coupler (some older vehicles may still have 3 link chain type coupling)
3. a drawhook and international Screw coupler (for vehicles used in international traffic)
4. drophead buckeye automatic couplings
5. Swinghead couplings
6. Rotary head couplers
7. AAR type E and F couplers.

In addition:

8. some freightliner vehicles are fitted with Screw couplers at both outer ends of vehicle rakes and bar couplers at the intermediate positions
9. FSA/FTA freightliner vehicles are fitted with standard Screw couplers at both outer ends of vehicle rakes with Screw couplers at lower height at the intermediate positions
10. detailed listings of coupler types fitted to individual vehicles can be obtained from the Rolling Stock Library, Schlumberger Sema, Room 103, Furlong House, Queens Drive, Nottingham NG2 1AL.

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1.3 - On-track machines

The majority of on-track machines (those vehicles of mobile rail plant which can travel outside of a possession) are fitted with draw hook and screw couplings. There are some vehicles which are intended to travel alone only and have no coupling arrangement.

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1.4 - Additional data

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Part 2 - Electrical Connector system data

2.1 - Index of Electrical Interconnection Systems

2.1.1 - By System Reference Number

Note: * class 20, and 37 vary between E002 and E029.

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2.1.2 - By Vehicle Type and Class

2.1.2.1 - Locomotives

Note: * class 20, and 37 vary between E002 and E029.

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2.1.2.2 - Diesel and Diesel Electric Multiple Units

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2.1.2.3 - Electrical Multiple Units

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2.1.2.4 - Coaching Stock

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