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Steam & Excursion > NG 3/4 size coupler can mate to full SG couplerDate: 11/19/17 16:25 NG 3/4 size coupler can mate to full SG coupler Author: PlyWoody Much interest has always been expressed about how the East Broad Top RR handled Standard Gauge cars after they had wheel set replaced. In the later years they made the adaption by dropping an aluminum casting down over the full size knuckle which then presented a smaller hand to match the 3/4 size coupler on the end of the tender or other ng car. But in earlier years the EBT and many other railroad used a conversion knuckle that fit into the 6" opening of the 3/4 coupler which then offered a full size hand that matches the knuckle that had a 8" opening for the pin that holds the knuckle.
These photos show a 3' gauge full size tender coupler using a cut down adaptor knuckle that fit into the 8" coupler and presented and cut knuckle that will fit the 3/4 size climax type coupler. View full size close, adapted knuckle open, adapted knuckle locked closed. I will try to follow with a post of photos of two conversion knuckle, one cast by Q&C which fit the 6" opening of 3/4 size coupler and presents a full size hand that will fit any standard gauge car. There are two types which the photos will show, and even mating. Both types are made to put in the narrow gauge car with 3/4 size coupler that will mate with full size standard coupler. The brown one has an extended length hand. Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/19/17 17:21 by PlyWoody. Date: 11/19/17 19:09 Re: NG 3/4 size coupler can mate to full SG coupler Author: PlyWoody Date: 11/19/17 16:31 NG 3/4 size coupler can mate to full SG coupler Pt 2(images 990k) Author: PlyWoody Where the pin fits is 6", this will fit into the 3/4 size coupler and present a full size hand to attach to standard gauge cars.
There conversion knuckles were used for years by many narrow gauge railroads that handled standard gauge cars, long before the aluminum adaptors were developed. Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/19/17 16:47 by PlyWoody. Date: 11/19/17 16:44 NG 3/4 size coupler can mate to full SG coupler Pt 3 Author: PlyWoody The brown knuckle also is a 6" for matching into the 3/4 coupler, and is just another style casting like the yellow Q&C casting. When you want to build a narrow gauge train adding standard gauge cars with full size coupler, you would pull the knuckle pin out, and remove the small hand of the 3/4 coupler, and install one of these conversion coupler and put pin back in. They are built to not be operable so the full Standard gauge coupler must work to uncouple those cars.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/19/17 17:04 by PlyWoody. Date: 11/19/17 16:57 NG 3/4 size coupler can mate to full SG coupler Pt 4 Author: PlyWoody The brown knuckle is an extended hand. The Q&C was sold by J.B. Jones (GM) to a railfan of Northern NJ which I knew and when his estate collection was sold at auction, I was the successful bidder. Mr. Stand Hall, EBT GM, was also at the auction bidding on some of the EBT items for sale. No one seem to be interested in hauling the Q&C knuckle home, and I only learned later its purpose.
Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/17 04:37 by PlyWoody. Date: 11/19/17 22:37 Re: NG 3/4 size coupler can mate to full SG coupler Pt 4 Author: Railpax71 Very interesting find! I'm curious how this would work if on dual gauge track the couplers are not centered? Maybe this worked because EBT swapped out trucks leaving the standard gauge couplers centered.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/19/17 22:39 by Railpax71. Date: 11/20/17 07:21 Re: NG 3/4 size coupler can mate to full SG coupler Pt 4 Author: BAB They offset the coupler on the narrow gauge or used an idler flat that was either offset or had the ablity to offset it to either side of center.
Date: 11/21/17 03:22 Re: NG 3/4 size coupler can mate to full SG coupler Pt 4 Author: PlyWoody Idler flat cars were not the only way to couple mixed gauge cars. Several former tender had three way coupling and were used as canteen for the locomotives, water for stations on the Chili line and other places, and water cars for section men camps, and as spacer junction cars. When a different gauge car is turned on a wye, it must go through a draw and the mixed gauge car will be needed to handle with the reverse side coupler. Those moves become involved.
Date: 11/21/17 08:12 Re: NG 3/4 size coupler can mate to full SG coupler Pt 4 Author: BAB You are so right but me and composing don't always fit too well thanks for figuring out what my pie hole was trying to spit out.LOL The info and pix you posted is something I have never heard of great post.
Date: 11/26/17 09:57 Re: NG 3/4 size coupler can mate to full SG coupler Pt 4 Author: PlyWoody This link shows a 2014 photo how the EBT hoppers were coupled to the full size D&RGW coupler in Chama, NM with a similar adaptor knuckle. Photo credit to Philip Marshall.
http://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,308412,308429#msg-308429 Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/27/17 14:23 by PlyWoody. |