spoorwegbuffers

Sp oorwegbuffers are shock-absorbing devices mounted on the ends of railway vehicles to absorb longitudinal forces during coupling and running. They are designed to limit peak impacts, protect the vehicle structure, reduce wear on couplings, and improve ride stability for both passengers and freight.

A typical spoorwegbuffer consists of an outer mounting housing attached to the vehicle body and an inner energy-absorbing element. This element may be a coil spring, gas spring, or a hydraulic dashpot, sometimes combined with a central contact face. When two vehicles come into contact or when a vehicle compresses against a stationary object, the buffer deflects, storing energy in the spring or compressing the damper, while dissipating part of the energy as heat. In many systems, the buffering action works in concert with a counterpart buffer and the coupling arrangement (such as buffer-and-chain or automatic couplers) to control the overall impact and maintain alignment.

Sp oorwegbuffers serve several roles: mitigating damage during couplings, smoothing the ride by absorbing slack action, and limiting longitudinal forces transmitted through the train. They must be matched to the coupling system and rated for the expected loads of the service, with variations in stiffness, damping, and mounting geometry reflecting regional practices and vehicle type.

Across regions and eras, responsibility for buffer design and standards has varied. Many freight wagons and older passenger stock in Europe retain traditional buffers alongside automatic couplers, while some modern or high-speed rolling stock employs alternative energy-absorbing schemes integrated into the coupling system.