C-AKv coupler

It was intended as a full replacement for the buffers and chain setup, which is not suitable for heavy loads, very time-consuming to be connected, and requires intensive maintenance.

In addition, the UIC automatic coupler was not compatible with the existing chain couplings, which would have made this conversion prohibitively expensive for some of the European state railways to carry out.

At this time, the German railways, Faiveley and Technische Universität Berlin are developing possible transition scenarios for a general introduction of the C-AKv coupler.

In a field test starting in 2004, the trains on the connection from the brown coal strip mine near Wählitz to the Schkopau Power Station were equipped with C-AKv-couplers which showed that regular wheel replacements shrunk below a third due to reduced wear.

Loaded trains are commonly operated by two 189s in a multiple unit setup, with the wagons retaining the AK69e type couplers they have been fitted with since the 1980s.