Railway couplers and connections
Voith couplers and articulations stand for safe and reliable connections. From the mechanical to the electronic connection of vehicles and train units - with us you will find the optimum solution for your application.
Your most important benefits at a glance
Thanks to ideally designed components, you benefit from high safety, maximum driving comfort and low wear, even under extreme conditions.
Simple installation
Faster and more cost-effective maintenance
Compensation of large impact energies
Data transmission via electric heads
Smooth driving characteristics
Optimal interaction of all components
Product portfolio
Our couplers and articulations are ideally matched to their application. We offer products for automatic and simultaneous coupling of mechanical, pneumatic and electrical components. We also provide solutions for connecting different coupler types and coupling heights.
One4 coupler head
The modular head integrated as standard in Scharfenberg couplers is compatible with existing systems. Thanks to the removable front plate, the internal components are easily accessible. You thus benefit from considerably simplified, faster and more cost-effective maintenance.
Data transmission system
Control and power signals as well as data and video signals can be transmitted via electric heads. Depending on customer requirements, Voith offers transmission at data rates of up to 1 GigaBit per second via classic connectors or via wear-free, optical transmission methods. Voith has developed Fast Ethernet based systems for different applications, covering both new vehicles and upgrades of trains already in operation. Standardized housings and interfaces guarantee simple installation and optimum interaction of all components.
Energy absorption components
In everyday operation, the energy absorption elements dampen coupling shocks and ensure smooth driving characteristics. In exceptional situations, they compensate for large impact energies.
Solutions for light rails and trams
Scharfenberg® Couplers
Type 330
- Compact design
- High rigidity
- Wide gathering range even without a guiding horn
- Mounting of the e-coupler at the head possible for versions without guiding horn
- Strength on compression 800 kN
- Strength on tension 600kN
Type 430/530
- Very compact and lightweight construction
- As a folding coupler it fits behind front hatches
- Strength on compression and on tension up to 300kN
- Particularly suitable for use in light rail vehicles and trams and monorails
- It can be placed behind the bow flaps as a folding coupler
Adapter Couplers
Modular adapter coupler
- Designed for shunting and towing
- Used for vehicles with different coupler types or coupling heights
- Allows for easy combination of different coupler heads
Solutions for metros
Scharfenberg® Couplers
Typ 35
- Particularly used in urban and regional transport
- Especially well-suited for vehicles without compressed-air systems
- Strength on compression 1,300 kN
- Strength on tension 850 kN
Typ 330
- Compact design
- High rigidity
- Wide gathering range even without a guiding horn
- Mounting of the e-coupler at the head possible for versions without guiding horn
- Strength on compression 800 kN
- Strength on tension 600kN
Semi-Permanent Couplers
Semi-permanent coupler with air couplings, electrical coupling, impact absorber and gangway support
- Permanent and secure connection between wagons
- Can be equipped with energy-absorbing elements, electric heads and air pipe connections
Semi-permanent coupler with anti-climbing feature
- The anti-climbing feature is designed to prevent an overriding of the wagons right from the start
- No additional space required
- Energy absorbing components (deformation tubes, hydrostatic dampers) can be integrated
Adapter Couplers
Modular adapter coupler
- Designed for shunting and towing
- Used for vehicles with different coupler types or coupling heights
- Allows for easy combination of different coupler heads
Additional Couplers
Wedgelock coupler
- Automatic coupling
- Safe and full coupling even in the event of air failure
- Simple and compact design
Tomlinson coupler
- Automatic coupling
- Can be equipped with air pipe connections and electric heads as well as energy absorption components
Solutions for monorails
Scharfenberg® Couplers
Type 330
- Compact design
- High rigidity
- Wide gathering range even without a guiding horn
- Mounting of the e-coupler at the head possible for versions without guiding horn
- Strength on compression 800 kN
- Strength on tension 600kN
Type 430/530
- Very compact and lightweight construction
- As a folding coupler it fits behind front hatches
- Strength on compression and on tension up to 300kN
- Particularly suitable for use in light rail vehicles and trams and monorails
- It can be placed behind the bow flaps as a folding coupler
Semi-Permanent Couplers
Semi-permanent coupler with air couplings, electrical coupling, impact absorber and gangway support
- Permanent and secure connection between wagons
- Can be equipped with energy-absorbing elements, electric heads and air pipe connections
Solutions for high-speed trains
Scharfenberg® Couplers
Type 10
- Especially high-strength
- Large gathering range laterally and vertically
- Included in TSI standards for high-speed trains
- Strength on compression: 1,500 kN
- Strength on tension: 1,000 kN
Inter-wagon connections
Articulations
- Connects vehicles equipped with Jacobs bogies
- Handles loads in both horizontal and vertical load directions
- The spherical bearing cushions impacts and allows for cardanic movements
- Energy absorbing elements can be integrated
- An additional torsion bar suspension between the cars brings about more stability
Adapter Couplers
Modular adapter coupler
- Designed for shunting and towing
- Used for vehicles with different coupler types or coupling heights
- Allows for easy combination of different coupler heads
Solutions for railcars
Scharfenberg® Couplers
Type 10
- Especially high-strength
- Large gathering range laterally and vertically
- Included in TSI standards for high-speed trains
- Strength on compression: 1,500 kN
- Strength on tension: 1,000 kN
Typ 35
- Particularly used in urban and regional transport
- Especially well-suited for vehicles without compressed-air systems
- Strength on compression 1,300 kN
- Strength on tension 850 kN
Inter-wagon connections
Articulations
- Connects vehicles equipped with Jacobs bogies
- Handles loads in both horizontal and vertical load directions
- The spherical bearing cushions impacts and allows for cardanic movements
- Energy absorbing elements can be integrated
- An additional torsion bar suspension between the cars brings about more stability
Adapter Couplers
Modular adapter coupler
- Designed for shunting and towing
- Used for vehicles with different coupler types or coupling heights
- Allows for easy combination of different coupler heads
Additional Couplers
SA3 coupler with energy absorption
- Very robust design
- Designed for heavy load applications
- Modular coupler head
- Combination with energy absorption systems possible
- Integrated mixed coupler device possible
- Automation features can be integrated
AAR couplers
- Transmits large mechanical forces
- Greater operational safety with energy-absorbing system
Type GF
- Can be provided with air pipe connections and electric heads
- Strength on compression 1,500 kN
- Strength on tension 1,000 kN
Solutions for locomotives
SA3 coupler with energy absorption
- Very robust design
- Designed for heavy load applications
- Modular coupler head
- Combination with energy absorption systems possible
- Integrated mixed coupler device possible
- Automation features can be integrated
AAR couplers
- Transmits large mechanical forces
- Greater operational safety with energy-absorbing system
Type 55
- Designed for shunting applications
- Automatic coupling
- Perfectly adapted for high loads and rough enviroments
- Automatic train composition helps increase occupational safety
- Easy to service; minimal maintenance required
CargoFlex Hybrid
- Interface for locomotives
- Based on the type 10 Scharfenberg® coupler head
- Automatic coupling and uncoupling
- Mainline-compatible
- Can be used with both automatic and screw couplers
Solutions for special purpose vehicles
Type 55
- Designed for shunting applications
- Automatic coupling
- Perfectly adapted for high loads and rough enviroments
- Automatic train composition helps increase occupational safety
- Easy to service; minimal maintenance required
Type 140
- Proven in the industrial sector
- Specifically designed for high loads and rough environments
- Flexible and reliable
- Enables safe shunting and automatic train formation
- Easy to service
- Requires minimal maintenance
Solutions for freight wagons
CargoFlex
- Automatic coupler for freight trains
- Based on the type 10 Scharfenberg® coupler head
- Durability due to robust design
- Lightweight design (same weight as buffer/drawhook combination)
- Developed for an optimal winter operation (without a heater)
- Increased occupational safety
- Time and cost efficient operation due to automation
- UIC interface allows for easy mounting
- Basis for a further automation of freight services
SA3 coupler with energy absorption
- Very robust design
- Designed for heavy load applications
- Modular coupler head
- Combination with energy absorption systems possible
- Integrated mixed coupler device possible
- Automation features can be integrated
AAR couplers
- Transmits large mechanical forces
- Greater operational safety with energy-absorbing system
Technical specifications
Modular couplers
Product information:
Individual combination of head, electrical contact coupling, rod, and bearing bracket
Application area:
Metros, high-speed trains and multiple units
Couplers with individual heads
Product information:
Scharfenberg (all types), Tomlinson (2.5", 4"), Georg Fischer, Janney (types E, F, and H), Willison
Application area:
All applications
Articulated couplers
Product information:
Scharfenberg (types 530, 430, and 330), articulated rod (manual, electric [single], pneumatic [single]), forces (200 – 600 kN), elastomer spring joint
Application area:
Light rails and trams
Modular adapter
Product information:
Steps (0 – 400 mm), forces (400 – 50 kN)
Application area:
All applications
References
Today, more than 160,000 Voith couplers are in operation worldwide (status 2019).
Voith Service
- Everything from a single source: development, design, production – and service!
- Decades of product experience as an original equipment manufacturer and service provider
- Fast and smooth cooperation and best service thanks to a worldwide network of service locations
- Long-term partnership and planning security are guaranteed due to longstanding corporate stability
