A massive steel coil or series of springs located behind the drawbar in the draft gear assembly. It compresses to absorb the sudden jerks and pulling forces when a locomotive starts moving or when slack runs out in the train. Without it, the rigid connections would snap under the immense tractive effort.
Heard on the job
When he notched out too fast, you could hear every drawspring in the train bottom out.
Also heard as
- draft spring
Related terms
Drawbar
A solid metal beam or assembly that connects railcars or locomotives together to transmit pulling force.
Drawgear
The complete mechanical assembly that couples railcars and absorbs pulling forces.
Slack
The free play in couplers and draft gear that lets cars move a little toward or away from each other.