RAILCAR COUPLER SYSTEM AND METHOD.
A railcar coupler (100) includes a coupler head portion extending from a shank portion (112). The coupler head portion is configured to couple to a first coupler knuckle for coupling the railcar coupler (100) to a second railcar coupler of an adjacent railcar. The coupler head portion comprises a nose portion (116) and a gathering face extending from the nose portion (116) for engaging a second coupler knuckle coupled to the second railcar coupler. The coupler head portion comprises a guard arm portion (110) extending from the nose portion (116) towards the shank portion (112). The guard arm portion (110) comprises a minimum width (w5) less than a width (w6) of the shank portion (112) where the guard arm portion (110) meets the shank portion.