Subject: Couplers (10/02/1990)
[1/3/86] Tightlock Couplers - Effective June 1, Amtrak will require tightlock couplers on both ends of all private cars. You will recall that this requirement has been extended numerous times in the past. This may be the last extension.
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[11/5/86] Contrary to a report at the convention, type F couplers are acceptable to Amtrak.
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[12/29/86] Couplers - As I mentioned last month, type F couplers are acceptable to Amtrak. The type F coupler is not a tightlock coupler, but it does have very little slack action.
Apparently, it is possible to convert cars which were made for E couplers to the type F coupler with very little modification. The Bluewater Michigan Chapter of the NRHS is looking into ordering some type F couplers to re-outfit some of their passenger cars. If you are interested, contact Aarne H. Frobom, Jr., 211 East Point Lane, D-15, East Lansing, Michigan 48823.
In the meantime, I should report to you that there is difficulty in coupling a passenger car to the double shelf couplers used on tank cars. The upper shelf strikes and scrapes the buffer plate on the passenger car.
The only way to couple cars is to really slam them together. Consequently, when you move your car in freight service, you should request that the railroad not place your passenger car next to a tank car, or any other car equipped with double shelf couplers.
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[10/2/90] E-Couplers - As previously reported, Amtrak has now begun to enforce the prohibition of anything other than interlocking couplers (H, CS, F, T) on their trains. These regulations are now being enforced against the carrier railroads. They were enforced with private car owners almost three years ago. Nonetheless, Amtrak will let you utilize an E-coupler on a one-way trip to a shop for replacement. This accommodation is on a case-by-case basis, but once you have made your first movement, you should understand that it will be your last, until the coupler is replaced.
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Paul L. DeVerter II
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