GOST 3475-81 PDF

Full title and description

GOST 3475-81 — Устройство автосцепное подвижного состава железных дорог колеи 1520 (1524) мм. Установочные размеры. English title: "Automatic coupler equipment of railway rolling stock for railway track gauge 1520 (1524) mm — Assembling (installation) dimensions." The standard defines mounting and assembling dimensions, clearances and key tolerances for automatic coupler (SA‑3 type) installations on freight and passenger wagons and locomotives for 1520/1524 mm gauge rolling stock.

Abstract

This standard specifies the required installation (assembling) dimensions, permitted deviations and key geometric relationships for automatic coupling devices used on mainline and industrial railway rolling stock of 1520 (1524) mm gauge. It is intended to ensure mechanical compatibility and interchangeability of couplers and related mounting parts (head height, distances L and l, absorber stroke, allowable tilts, clearances, etc.).

General information

• Status: Active / in force (listed as действующий in holdings and catalogues; reissues/term extensions recorded).
• Publication date: Approved 05 February 1981; in force from 01 January 1982.
• Publisher: Approved by Gosstandart USSR; published by Standards Publishing House (Издательство стандартов), Moscow (original USSR edition; later reprints by IPK/Издательство стандартов).
• ICS / categories: OKС / ICS 45.060 (railway rolling stock). KGS/D56 (autocouplers and brake equipment).
• Edition / version: Designation year 1981 (GOST 3475‑81); text in force from 1982 with recorded amendments/term extensions.
• Number of pages: 6 pages (standard document length in available copies/catalogs).

Scope

The standard applies to automatic coupling devices of freight and passenger wagons and to locomotives of mainline and industrial railways with 1520 (1524) mm gauge. It does not apply to coupling devices for specialised wagons, electric train cars (EMUs), diesel multiple units, or steam locomotives. The document sets the installation (mounting) dimensions, dimensional tolerances and key conditions necessary for interoperable coupling equipment.

Key topics and requirements

• Defined installation (assembling) dimensions for the automatic coupler (SA‑3 type) on rolling stock.
• Required head height (h) of horizontal coupler axis above railhead with specified minimum and maximum values for new and in-service wagons and locomotives.
• Specified absorber (shock‑absorbing apparatus) stroke — minimum values and effects on other dimensions (e.g., distances L and l).
• Tolerances for coupler tilt and sag (maximum upward/downward deviation limits) and acceptable clearances between parts.
• Requirements for distance relationships (L, l and other assembly dimensions) for newly manufactured and in‑service vehicles; special provisions by agreement with the customer for certain designs (e.g., centring beam with elastic support).
• Interchangeability/compatibility provisions and reference to related contour and coupling‑face dimension standards.

Typical use and users

Used by rolling‑stock designers and manufacturers, coupler and spare‑parts producers, maintenance depots, railway technical inspectors, certification bodies and procurement specialists. Typical applications are design and verification of mounting arrangements for SA‑3 automatic couplers on freight and passenger wagons and locomotives of the 1520/1524 mm gauge network.

Related standards

Standards frequently referenced alongside GOST 3475‑81 include the earlier GOST 3475‑62 (replaced), contour and engagement dimension standards such as GOST 21447‑75, and more recent standards addressing SA‑3 design and component requirements (for example, later interstate/national standards on SA‑3 geometry and technical requirements). Modern normative documents on coupler components and plates (examples: GOST 32885‑2014 for SA‑3 geometry; national GOST R standards for component technical requirements) may update or complement specific technical requirements.

Keywords

автосцепка; SA‑3; automatic coupler; mounting dimensions; assembling dimensions; rolling stock; 1520 mm gauge; coupler height; absorber stroke; interchangeability.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: GOST 3475‑81 is a Soviet (and retained) standard that defines installation and assembling dimensions for automatic coupling devices (autoscouplers) used on rolling stock of 1520/1524 mm gauge.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers geometric and mounting requirements — head height above rail, absorber stroke minima, distances and clearances (L, l and related dimensions), allowable tilt/sag and other tolerances needed to ensure mechanical compatibility of couplers on freight and passenger wagons and locomotives.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Rolling‑stock designers and manufacturers, coupler makers, maintenance and inspection engineers, regulatory/certification bodies and procurement specialists dealing with railway vehicles and coupler assemblies.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: GOST 3475‑81 is listed in official catalogues as действующий (in force) and has had term extensions and registered amendments; however, certain component‑level requirements and modern SA‑3 design details may be covered by later interstate or national standards (for example standards issued in the 2010s and 2020s addressing SA‑3 geometry and component technical requirements). Users should check current national/international normative acts and more recent GOST/GOST R/GOST‑INT standards for updates applicable to specific components.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It belongs to the set of railway rolling‑stock standards (ICS 45.060) and is related to other coupling and brake equipment standards; it replaces the earlier GOST 3475‑62 and is cross‑referenced with contour/engagement dimension standards (e.g., GOST 21447‑75) and later standards that refine coupler component requirements.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Automatic coupler, autoscoupler, SA‑3, installation dimensions, assembling dimensions, rolling stock, gauge 1520/1524 mm, coupler head height, absorber stroke, interchangeability.