Re: Link and Pin, Miller Hooks?

Brian Norden Wrote:
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> A number of railroads used the Miller coupler on
> passenger cars between the link-and-pin era and
> the final acceptance and application of the
> "Jenny" MCB coupler. I think the Rio Grande was
> one of these railroads.

Miller couplers were very common on passenger equipment from the 1870's through to the widespread adoption of janney-type knuckle couplers. The miller coupler was specifically designed to reduce or eliminate telescoping in crashes and reduce slack action of cars, while easily coming apart in the event of turnovers. It worked well enough for these purposes, and it was semi automatic so the brakeman didn't have to risk his fingers when coupling cars. Its principle downside seems to have been cost-related; I've seen numerous complaints in period sources with respect to the royalties charged for these couplers, so much so that Miller himself had to publish a public justification.