The entire system of components at the end of a railcar designed to connect to other cars and handle longitudinal forces. This includes the coupler, drawbar, draft gear, yokes, and springs or friction plates. It works to cushion the shock of starting, stopping, and slack action so the car frame and cargo are not torn apart.
Heard on the job
The impact from that hard coupling blew the drawgear right out of the lead boxcar.
Also heard as
- draft gear
Related terms
Drawbar
A solid metal beam or assembly that connects railcars or locomotives together to transmit pulling force.
Drawspring
A heavy coil spring that absorbs the shock of pulling forces in a railcar draft gear.
Drawhead
The heavy outer casting at the end of a draft assembly that houses the coupling mechanism.