Rolling stock connection systems are key to running longer and heavier trains as they provide both the connections of vehicles and the damping, providing the longitudinal suspension of the train. This paper focuses on the evolution of both connection and stiffness damping systems. Focus is on freight rolling stock, but passenger draw gears are also examined. It was found that connection systems have evolved from the buff and chain system used in the pioneer railways of the 1800s to the modern auto-coupler connection systems that are in-service worldwide today. Refined versions of the buff and chain coupling are, however, still in use in the EU, UK, South America and India. A wide range of auto-coupler systems are currently utilised, but the AAR coupler (Janney coupler) remains the most popular. A further variation that persists is the SA3 coupler (improved Wilson coupler) which is an alternative auto-coupler design used mainly throughout the former Soviet Union. Restricting the review to auto-coupler systems allowed the paper to focus on draft gears which revealed polymer, polymer-friction, steel spring-friction, hydraulic draft gears and sliding sill cushioning systems. Along with the single compressive draft gear units balanced and floating plate configurations are also presented. Typical draft gear acceptance standards are presented along with modelling that was included to aid in presentation of the functional characteristics of draft gears.

机车车辆连接系统是运行更长、更重的列车的关键，因为它们提供车辆的连接和阻尼，提供列车的纵向悬挂。本文重点介绍连接阻尼系统和刚度阻尼系统的演变。重点是货运机车车辆，但也检查了乘客牵引装置。研究发现，连接系统已经从 1800 年代先驱铁路中使用的缓冲链系统演变为当今在全球范围内使用的现代自动耦合器连接系统。然而，抛光和链条联轴器的精制版本仍在欧盟、英国、南美和印度使用。目前使用的自动耦合器系统范围很广，但 AAR 耦合器（Janney 耦合器）仍然是最受欢迎的。另一个持续存在的变化是 SA3 耦合器（改进的威尔逊耦合器），这是一种主要在前苏联各地使用的替代自动耦合器设计。将审查限制在自动耦合器系统上，使论文能够专注于牵引齿轮，其中揭示了聚合物、聚合物摩擦、钢弹簧摩擦、液压牵引齿轮和滑动门槛缓冲系统。与单压缩牵引装置一起，还介绍了平衡和浮板配置。介绍了典型的牵引齿轮验收标准以及用于帮助展示牵引齿轮功能特性的建模。将审查限制在自动耦合器系统上，使论文能够专注于牵引齿轮，其中揭示了聚合物、聚合物摩擦、钢弹簧摩擦、液压牵引齿轮和滑动门槛缓冲系统。与单压缩牵引装置一起，还介绍了平衡和浮板配置。介绍了典型的牵引齿轮验收标准以及用于帮助展示牵引齿轮功能特性的建模。将审查限制在自动耦合器系统上，使论文能够专注于牵引齿轮，其中揭示了聚合物、聚合物摩擦、钢弹簧摩擦、液压牵引齿轮和滑动门槛缓冲系统。与单压缩牵引装置一起，还介绍了平衡和浮板配置。介绍了典型的牵引齿轮验收标准以及用于帮助展示牵引齿轮功能特性的建模。