An Alignment Coupler has four ears cast on the back of the coupler shank; two at the top & two at the bottom. Inside of the draft gear are two U shape castings; one above & at the bottom. These are designed to strike the ears on the rear of the coupler shank when the draft gear goes into compression or buff (Slack In). Once the ears on the coupler shank strike the U shaped casting the coupler can not slew preventing the coupler from taking a pivoted set and thereby eliminating dangeerous lateral forces between the units when Dynamic Braking is in use.
In the absence of alignment control draft gear, sufficient forces can be generated between the units when in buff (Dynamic Brake) to be distructive; including derailing, spreading the rails, and in extreme cases oveerturning rail account the horizonetal forces beeing great enough to be distructive. The alignment control draft gear keeps these forces in a straight line between the units preventing the damage described above.
In the absence of alignment control draft gear, sufficient forces can be generated between the units when in buff (Dynamic Brake) to be distructive; including derailing, spreading the rails, and in extreme cases oveerturning rail account the horizonetal forces beeing great enough to be distructive. The alignment control draft gear keeps these forces in a straight line between the units preventing the damage described above.
