Coupling coaches without using the buckeye

[K.o.R]

In a pinch, could you couple two (say) Mark 1 coaches together by dropping both buckeyes and using the chain hooks and buffers? I imagine you wouldn't want to risk using the gangways between the two coaches in such a situation, and the small issue of neither coach actually having a chain (the loco "supplying" it in normal operation), especially not one fitted with a turnbuckle or T-link to compress the buffers.

 

[43096]

I imagine you wouldn't want to risk using the gangways between the two coaches in such a situation

It's not a case of "wouldn't want to", more a case of cannot. There'd be a sizeable gap.

 

[Western 52]

I think that can be done, but not normally in passenger service.

 

[Merle Haggard]

In a pinch, could you couple two (say) Mark 1 coaches together by dropping both buckeyes and using the chain hooks and buffers? I imagine you wouldn't want to risk using the gangways between the two coaches in such a situation, and the small issue of neither coach actually having a chain (the loco "supplying" it in normal operation), especially not one fitted with a turnbuckle or T-link to compress the buffers.

I recollect that brakes carried a spare screw coupling for that eventuality. Most likely required when there was a defective buckeye.

 

[John Webb]

Spare couplings were available in the guard's van of passenger rolling stock, at stations and other locations for use where for some reason the buckeye couplings could not be used.
According to the 1972 "General Appendix to Working Timetables and books of Rules and Regulations" (BR 29944) only LNE coaches with their own particular spare coupling could have the corridor connections still in use. All other coaches had to have the corridor connections doors locked closed so they were out of use.