Height of the impact zone for end-of-track bumpers

Frank_Dean

Well-known member
I recently made some North American-style end-of-track bumpers based on Hayes Bumping Posts for 1435 mm track. I received a suggestion asking if I could adapt any of them for narrow gauge tracks (3 ft, 30 in and 2 ft). Apart from the track gauge, I realized that the height of the impact zone is different for 3-foot track.
Is this normal, or is it a design error?
What would be the correct height for narrow gauge tracks?
In the attached image, you can see the height of the couplers for standard and 3-foot gauge tracks in Trainz, as well as a comparison of the height with the Hayes Bumping Posts.
Height-of-the-impact-zone-for-end-of-track-bumpers..jpg
 
Short Answer, the impact area should correspond to the coupler height so that the coupler will strike the bumper and stop the car, that's what it is designed for.
 
In theory, they should be the same height; the only difference should be the track gauge.
But looking at the images, there is a difference of 30 to 40 cm, and since there is no concrete data, or no one knows it, we will play a guessing game.
 
How can they be the same?

Just a quick google search about 2 ft g cars says 14.5 inches to center coupler height and 24-28 inches for 3 ft, while the typical standard gauge coupler height is about 33 inches center. loading of the cars can move the coupler down a couple inches.

The striker on the bumpers should allow the coupler and as such the buffing mechanism in the draft gear itself to take the brunt of the force.
 
How can they be the same?

Just a quick google search about 2 ft g cars says 14.5 inches to center coupler height and 24-28 inches for 3 ft, while the typical standard gauge coupler height is about 33 inches center. loading of the cars can move the coupler down a couple inches.

The striker on the bumpers should allow the coupler and as such the buffing mechanism in the draft gear itself to take the brunt of the force.
Thank you for your reply. I apologize for bothering you. English is not my native language, and I may not have expressed myself correctly.
 
Sorry for my brief answer earlier, life stuff was demanding my attention more than my hobby... However, norfolksouthern37 summed it up fairly well.

The coupler height is based on the geometry and physics of the cars, smaller track gauge brings down the center of gravity and correspondingly lowers the center frame (assuming US style cars, European stock tends to have different framing).

The couplers and associated parts are generally in-line with the center frame so as to efficiently transmit "in train forces," thus the coupling face height comes down as the gauge gets smaller.

The coupling face height is measured to the center of the coupling face on an empty car, and loaded cars are lower (as the springs compress) but need to remain within a certain standard deviation (1/3 coupler height off the top of my head).

I do appreciate trying to deal with Trainz in something other that your native language is difficult, as many railroad terms don't translate well thru translation programs and often aren't covered in standard translation dictionaries.
 
Thank you for your kind response. I understand that depending on the rail gauge, the height of the North American coupler and buffer decreases.
 
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