Vehicle: Rail
Fairing for LRV couplers   (+2)  [vote for, against]
improve appearance and aerodynamics

Some light rail vehicles* can be built with a driver's cab at both ends, or only one end. The dual cab models have a coupler at both ends. The single cabs one have a smoothly curved panel on the front that looks nicer and probably helps with aerodynamics.

But it should be possible to make a removable (or retractable) fairing for both ends of the dual cab models, to cover the coupler when not in use - and get back the cleaner, more aero look to the front of the train.

Just remember to remove or retract it when you need to use that coupler!

* Siemens S70 and S700 as examples, there may be others.
-- a1, Apr 17 2024

Pictures https://www.railway.../s70-low-floor-lrv/
click through pics on that page to see cars w/ and w/o couples on front [a1, Apr 17 2024]

removeable coupler https://www.youtube...watch?v=InBv1cg0tm0
[pocmloc, Apr 17 2024]

[+]
-- Voice, Apr 17 2024


Ah, the railway cosmetics industry. Now that's a niche nut to crack. Isn't fairing spelled 'faring'? (My question is strictly cosmetic).
-- Edie, Apr 17 2024


[pocmloc], thanks for that link. The access panel on that train is close to what I had in mind. But in my version it would cover a permanent rather than temporary coupler. I'll look closer next time I see a single-cab S70 to see if the front "bumper" is really a continuous piece or made in sections.

And I never thought about how they tow the things when they break down. Without some way to connect another car from one end or the other, I guess Metro would make us all get out and push.
-- a1, Apr 17 2024



random, halfbakery