ClipArt ETC
In American practice all of the forces between the locomotive and cars are handled through the coupler and its associated draft gear, which allows some limited slack movement. Small dimples called "poling pockets" at the front and rear corners of the locomotive allowed cars to be pushed on an adjacent track using a pole braced between the locomotive and the cars.

Device for Controlling Draft in Locomotives

In American practice all of the forces between the locomotive and cars are handled through the coupler…