Passenger Train Applications
Modern electric multiple unit and diesel multiple unit vehicles often utilise a specialised coupler that provides both mechanical, electrical and pneumatic connections between vehicles. These couplers permit trains to be connected and disconnected automatically without the need for human intervention on the ground.
There are a few designs of fully automatic couplers in use worldwide, including the Scharfenberg coupler, various knuckle hybrids (such as the Tightlock, used in the UK), the Wedgelock coupling, Dellner couplings (similar to Scharfenberg couplers in appearance), and the BSI coupling.
Multiple control technology is also used in push-pull trains operating with a standard locomotive at one end only. Control signals are either received from the cab as normal, or from a cab car at the other end that is connected to the locomotive by cables through the intermediate cars.
Read more about this topic: Multiple-unit Train Control
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