page_title: Buffers and chain coupler
hierarchical_section_title: Buffers and chain coupler
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Seitenpuffer eines Bahnwaggons
context_page_description: Buffers and chain couplers are the de facto UIC standard railway stock coupling used in the EU and UK, and on some surviving colonial railways, such as in South America and India. These couplers are an assembly of several devices: buffers, hooks and links|screws.
  With the modern version of these couplers, the rail vehicles are mated by manually connecting the two hooks with one of the two links which incorporate a turnbuckle screw, drawing together and slightly compressing the buffer pairs, one left and one right on each headstock. This limits slack and lessens shunting shocks in moving trains. In contrast, the semi-automatic Janney Type E coupler experiences significant jarring during mating and shunting. Very early stock had "dummy buffers" which were simple rigid extensions of the frame; these evolved and improved with enclosed mechanical then hydraulic springs.
context_section_description: Buffers and chain couplers (also known as "buffers and screw", "screw", and "English" couplers) are the de facto UIC standard railway stock coupling used in the EU and UK, and on some surviving colonial railways, such as in South America and India.  These couplers are an assembly of several devices: buffers, hooks and links|screws).
  With the modern version of these couplers, the rail vehicles are mated by manually connecting the two hooks with one of the two links which incorporate a turnbuckle screw, drawing together and slightly compressing the buffer pairs, one left and one right on each headstock.  This limits slack and lessens shunting shocks in moving trains.  In contrast, the semi-automatic Janney Type E coupler experiences significant jarring during mating and shunting.  Very early stock had "dummy buffers" which were simple rigid extensions of the frame; these evolved and improved with enclosed mechanical then hydraulic springs.
caption: Buffers and chain coupler on goods wagon
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