Albert coupling

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Albert coupling on a tram in uncoupled condition
Side view of an Albert coupling in the uncoupled state
Top view of two coupled Albert couplings

The Albert coupling is a mechanism for connecting two trams to form a train. It transmits tensile and compressive forces. Coupling and uncoupling is done manually. It is named after its inventor Karl Albert, a former director of the Krefeld tram .

construction

The Albert coupling consists of a metallic dome head. The dome head has a pin on the right side and a groove on the left side. The pin and groove are shaped so that the pin of one vehicle fits into the groove of the other when coupled. The tensile and compressive forces are transmitted by metal pins that are inserted from above through suitable holes in the pin and groove.

The coupling process takes place in several steps. First, the cars to be coupled are maneuvered close to one another and one of the pins is inserted. To do this, the two clutches do not necessarily have to form a line. The coupling is then stretched by increasing the distance between the two vehicles until the two couplings are in line. Then the second pin is inserted. In contrast to the trumpet coupling, the coupling process takes place while standing, which means that there is less risk of accidents as the shunter does not have to step between moving vehicles.

distribution

Due to its advantages over the trumpet couplings traditionally used in trams, the Albert coupling was used by numerous tram operators in Germany in the interwar period. However, it was never able to completely displace the trumpet clutches, as many tram operators shied away from the costs of retrofitting.

The Albert coupling is now considered technically obsolete, as the Scharfenberg coupling and the BSI compact coupling are more modern coupling designs that allow automatic coupling and uncoupling and, in addition to the mechanical connection of the vehicles, can also couple electrical connections and compressed air lines. This is why the Albert coupling can only be found today - with a few exceptions - on historic vehicles, company vehicles or as an emergency coupling on cars that are not designed for multiple traction or the transport of sidecars . It is also used as an emergency coupling for towing maneuvers in the event of technical malfunctions or accidents on newer low-floor railway models such as the Transtech Artic or the Bombardier Flexity 2 .

literature

Web links

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