Passenger Car Nomenclature...

Discussion in 'General' started by TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020), Dec 7, 2010.

  1. TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020)

    TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020) Passed Away July 15, 2020 Frisco.org Supporter

    Pardon the crude diagram, but what do you call the parts of a passenger car end with no vestibule (Like a
    baggage car) that (1) is beneath the diaphragm and is like a "bumper" or
    "anti-climber" and (2) the metal sheets at the top of the car end and alongside
    the diaphragm and are rather like a large "leaf spring?" Both these things
    serve as crash protection, but I'm unaware of what they are called??

    Thanks, Tom
     

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  2. wmrx

    wmrx MP Trainmaster

    From your descriptions, I would say that number one is the buffer and number two must be the diaphragm spring.
     
  3. TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020)

    TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020) Passed Away July 15, 2020 Frisco.org Supporter

    Well I'm not so sure. The diaphragm springs would be behind the diaphragm "face," not out to the side. There are springs behind the top and bottom and sometimes behind the diaphragm "face." And I thought a buffer is what the coupler is mounted in (aka coupler "pocket"). But I've never really known, I've never seen those parts named in a diagram or heard them spoken verbally??

    Tom

    Edit: One of the fellas on the N Scale Varnish chat group has found that the part along the bottom of the car end that is similar to an anticlimber is a "buffer bar." Sounds logical. Still looking for the name of the other (upper) part.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 8, 2010
  4. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Tom, I dinked around a bit yesterday trying to find relevant information.

    I've not found any yet, but it does appear that the Railroad Passenger Car Alliance might have information in their Resource Library. If nothing else, it's chock full of other relevant information.

    http://www.rpca.com/resourcelibrary.htm

    Good luck!

    Best Regards,
     
  5. SAFN SAAP

    SAFN SAAP Member

    Tom,

    The lower arrow is a draft sill. This was above the coupler draft gear and was designed to be a buffer should the knuckles cross while building a train.

    The upper arrow is the top load spring which supports the diaphragm when so equipped. It meant to secure the diaphragm against the car to prevent it from pulling away, but will compress to absorb the slack action when cars come together. The diaphragm had to have the ability to flex like an accordion.
     
  6. TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020)

    TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020) Passed Away July 15, 2020 Frisco.org Supporter

    Thanks--But I'm not sure were talking about the same things?? Both the parts I'm speaking of don't move--at all--unless there's a crash. I understand the spring and buffering effect of the diaphragm, that's something different. I'll try to work up a better diagram.

    Tom
     
  7. TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020)

    TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020) Passed Away July 15, 2020 Frisco.org Supporter

    This picture is from an old Walthers catalog. The parts I'm speaking of are "represented" on this white metal casting: (1) At the top of the car, the plain (No rivets) "sheets" that extend from the diaphragm out to the car side (They're actually "sheets" of steel, shown here solid on this crude casting). and (2) The riveted wedge shaped "bumper" or sill at the car bottom and above the coupler pocket (The best name for this part I've received so far is a "buffer beam"). These parts don't move, there's no spring or buffering action associated with them. They're crash protection devices only and collapse on impact.

    Tom
     

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    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 8, 2010

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