Added by JSJ and written by Tony Willmore of Rhos Helyg Locomotive Works in answer to a query about Ffestiniog couplings. Reproduced from an email on NGgarden Yahoo group with kind permission of the author. There are five types in regular use: 1) Chopper 2) Centre buffer with underslung hook 3) Wagon "bumper" also with underslung hook 4) Screwed shackle as per standard gauge 5) RAF In no particular order... Type 4 is only used for coupling bug boxes together when they are intended to run as a set and not be split up again for a while, i.e. "semi-permanently coupled", whatever that means. Type 5 is only used for works train vehicles, and consists of a vertical pin in each vehicle held together by a steel loop. Moel Hebog and Harlech Castle are fitted with RAF couplings. Types 2 and 3 are the same, except that most (not all) of the wagons do not get the luxury of a sprung buffer to protect them. They are coupled together by placing the hook from one vehicle onto the loop of the other. Palmerston has centre buffer couplings. Type 1 are used on most passenger vehicles and most (but not all) locomotives. Most (but not all) chopper couplings have a pair of holes across the hollow body underneath the chopper pivot. Inserting a locking pin (known as a "French Pin" for some reason) through these holes allows a type 2 or 3 coupling to be attached to a chopper. Various adaptors exist that allow coupling of other types together, but these are not in every-day use. All vehicles used on the present-day Welsh Highland must be fitted with chopper couplings, with no exceptions unless somebody decides otherwise. It is my understanding that the pre-war WHR chopper couplings were not 100% compatible with FR choppers, but I am happy to be corrected on that. Tony Rhos Helyg Locomotive Works - www.rhoshelyg.me.uk |
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