Re: Selden and Sams automatic link-and-pin couplers

Posted by Mallory Hope Ferrell on
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Selden-and-Sams-automatic-link-and-pin-couplers-tp1519p1573.html

It is interesting to note that David H. Moffat (of Moffat Tunnel fame) was President of the Sams Automatic Coupler Company, with a General Office at 515 Equitable Building, Denver (July 21, 1898). Moffat was also at one time the President of the D&RG. The Railroad GAZETTE reported on February 24, 1899 (p.135) that the D&RG had the following number of cars equipped with Sams Couplers for the years: 1895 (64); 1896 (173); 1897 (430) and 1898 (495).

The Virginia & Truckee also equipped some of its cars with Sams Couplers in a attempt to comply with the new Federal laws, but the Sams Coupler was deemed to NOT comply with the provisions of the new Safety Act. Then in about 1903-04, the D&RG, V&T and many other roads adopted the Janney patent coupler.

Before the nation's railroads finally adopted a standard coupler, there were at least fifty different patented "automatic" coupler designs. Some years ago, I fould a Sheldon (notched) coupling pin on the abandoned Union Pacific grade at Piedmont, Wyoming.