Anticlimbers

[rockislandmike]

Was reading an article about the Rock Island GP38-2's, and it mentioned anticlimbers and referred to how you could see the difference in the pics (cause some had them and some hadn't).

I of course was dumbfounded. What the heck is an anticlimber, and what does it look like and where is it located ?????

 

[Hunkiedoo]

Anticlimbers are a series of parallel horizontal steel ribs cast with or welded to the end of the carbody floor (actually rigidly fixed to the car frame. They are usually located just above the coupler & are quite easily seen on early streetcats & interurbans. [Interurban! you can answer better than I!]

Their purpose was to lock into the anticlimbers of an opposing car, also so equipped, during a collision, so one car does not ride up onto the floor of the other & telescope through the car. A legitimate preoccupation in the days of wooden car bodies.

 

[RailRon]

Also the wagontop locomotives (like this EMD F-7) had anticlimbers on their noses. On this pic sunlight and shadows model clearly the ribs on the 'bumper' above the coupler, just like Hunkiedoo explained.

Ron

 

[K.V.Div]

On the pic of the GP38-2's look for what appears to be extentions of the walkway in front of the nose. If it is a large anticlimber it will extend about 3-4 feet forward and if it is a small one, it should look like a small angeled peice extending only about 1 foot.
They are supposed to keep one locomotive from climbing up onto another if they are involved in a head-on collision.

Terry

 

[BDC]

Here's an illustration of what Terry talked about. This anticlimber is painted white (rear of the loco above the coupler) as part of BN's scheme, and is an example of a large anticlimber. Can't find a picture of a smaller one right now.