US MU connections how widespread outside USA

[blue_streak_1]

On the METRA cab car thread Paul North posted

Any other locomotive-type connections between the cars, like the other 3 hoses usually seen on MU-ed units ? Obviously, the train-lined air brake; the Main Reservoir connecting/ equalizing hose; the 27-pin jumper cable; and whatever is needed for the Head-End Power and communciations, etc. between the cars. But what about the other 2 hoses - the Independent Actuating (ACT) for Applications and the Brake Cylinder Release hoses ? I would think perhaps not, but then there would be no way to control the locomotive’s Independent Brake from the cab car, if desired - that’s not one of the functions on the standard 27-pin electrical jumper - but I don’t really know . . .

See “US Loco MU Control” at: http://www.railway-technical.com/us-musp.shtml

Thanks in advance.

• Paul North.

My question : Is the US (AAR) system used outside of Canada, USA, Mexico in other countries? Is the EMD and GE export locos using this system or is it different in some nations? To muddle the question further maybe some nations use it on the GE and EMD export locos and maybe other systems for equipment built outside North America?

Realize that this could be a very broad question with many answers!!

[beaulieu]

EMD JT26CW (BR Class 59) and EMD JT42CWR (Class 66) used in Europe, use the AAR MU standard system.

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

From one of the references that I used to get to that link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple-unit_train_control (usual disclaimers apply):

"However, not all MU connections are standardized between manufacturers, thus limiting the types of locomotives that can be used together. In North America there is a high level of standardization using the Association of American Railroads system.^[3] In the United Kingdom several different incompatible MU systems are in use (and some locomotive classes were never fitted for MU working), but more modern diesel locomotives used on British railways use the standard AAR system."

See also “Passenger Train Applications” there.

Beyond this, I have no first-hand knowledge, and gladly defer to anyone else who does.

• Paul North.