Van Dorn automatic coupler equipment

Bill Wulfert reminded me that he had sent me photos a couple of months ago taken in the cab of our Broad Street subway car, the 55, showing the car's automatic coupler cutout switch. On the Broad Street cars, which used Van Dorn #2350 tight-lock couplers (more here), the air and electric connections were made automatically when the couplers locked but the motorman had to manually cut in the connections from the cab. Bill explains:

There is a cutting valve in each cab, and a "key" is inserted (it looks like a piece of steel with a notch in it) to uncouple cars. I'll have to look for that.  But it also talks about closing the Westinghouse valve (which is just a standard WABCO brass angle cock under the coupler). That part never made sense to me, as either the couplers are automatic or they are not!

There is an air operated drum switch behind the coupler, and when you put the "cutting key" in the slot, and move the handle part way, you can hear the drum throw, which I'm sure is disconnecting the coupler buttons electrically. Then you can move the key a bit more, and turn the handle in the cab a bit more, and I believe those air buttons on the sides of the electrical contacts activate the pneumatic uncoupling mechanism.

I did try the cutting valve when we still had the 126. It did not have power, but I used the key in the 55, and it worked. The cars uncoupled, and there was no big rush of air, so the automatic equipment worked. Hopefully I can find those instructions for you.

You can also move the lever on the top of the coupler in order to manually uncouple cars, such as cars in the yard. I'm not sure if you have to throw anything else, as when the car is pumped up the air connections may not be closed.

Bill sent these photos of the cut valve or switch in the cab of the 55. The first two photos show the switch; then there are two photos of the switch with the handle inserted, in two different positions; and finally a photo of the handle.

Van Dorn made a variety of switches, contacts, junction boxes, valves, and other appurtenances that were related in some way to the operation of its automatic couplers. Very few examples of any of it are thought to still survive.