Sams Semi Automatic L&P Coupler

[Loggerhead]

Does anyone have drawings, sketches, dims for the Sams semi automatic L&P coupler. I'm finishing up a series of 1:20.3 V&T cars dated from the 1890's and they have Sams couplers. Anything related to Tower couplers from the same era would be great as well

Thanks

[Dave Eggleston]

I believe I have more on the topic buried somewhere. Randy Hees of the Nevada RR Museum in Boulder City knows a lot, IIRC. Also they must have info at the Carson City Nev RR Museum, too. I can't find anything in my Carbuilder's Dictionaries as I believe they predate Sams adoption by railroads, and I found nothing on a quick scan of Jack White's freight book--though I may have missed it.

The basic premise is a heavy link that sits in the drawhead and drops "automatically" (quotes intentional) when a drawbar enters.

Here are two images to start you out, found searching google books, the first an opinion piece from Ry Conductor of 1894 and the other an ad from Ry & Loco Engineering of 1896:

[Dave Eggleston]

I should add, search these topics on Google advanced search. Narrow dates to 1880-1910. You should get at a minimum ads, if not more description.

Isn't there also a FB V&T group that you could ping on this?

[Ken Martin]

I don't have info myself but the Society for the Preservation for Carter Railroad Resources at Ardenwood Park in Fremont, CA has a car with a Sams coupler. They also have a Sams pin that was found in Nevada along the old Carson and Colorado.

http://www.spcrr.org

Ken Martin

[Robert McFarland]

Wasn't the coupler Bob Schoppe found a Sams?

[Loggerhead]

Design and casting is now complete for a 1:20.3 functional Sam's semi automatic coupler. These are avail from Don Niday at Iron Creek Shops.

[Al Pomeroy]

this is what you will get