European Railroad Discussion > Coupling Trains The European Way

Most of Europe employs the hook and link coupling system.  It is not the safest system in the world.  It does require a bit of nerve and trust in the driver/engineers.

The unit pictured is a Henschel built powered by an EMD 645E3. The five unit order was initially ordered by Norwegian Railways (NSB) and are operated by SJ Nord.  Essentially an SD40-2 with AC traction motors and HEP.  The units are assigned to operate between Trondheim and Bodø. Bodø, the end of line is well above the Arctic Circle (121 km).

Ha det bra,
Sven Molson

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SBB Cargo has decided to reequip all domestic freight cars
with the Voith Digital Automatic Coupler, and reequip those
locomotives which have a future in SBB Cargo service with
the hybrid version of this coupler.

https://voith.com/corp-en/scharfenberg-couplers/digital-automatic-coupler.html#212455

Most remaining Re 420 and Re620 locomotives will be
retired without receiving this coupler. SBB Cargo has
ordered 36 new Stadler built 4-axle locomotives with
delivery beginning in 2027 and they have options for
93 additional locomotives

Europe was planning to swap over to knuckle couplers on Easter weekend in 1978. At the last minute, several larger counties (France and Italy) backed out. So the conversion never happened.

One day a new type of universal coupler may show up and this may be the beginning.

Sven,  Thanks.  I've ridden behind one of those for nine hours between Trondheim and Bodo, once in real life and several times on the tube.  It's a great trip.  Gerry