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
From your descriptions, I would say that number one is the buffer and number two must be the diaphragm spring.
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.
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,
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.
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
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