Those "special stubs" are couplers.
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If you get up close to one, and really look at it, you'll find that they're actually knuckle couplers, just like the ones on other locomotives and cars. However, they are much smaller, and are set up with a special covering that only allows them to couple to cars with the same kind of coupler. If you took off the special adaptor, theoretically, you'd be able to couple them to any other car or loco.
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Perhaps in theory, but not in practice. The knuckle is of a different design from that of standard couplers. The frame around the knuckle includes lugs and sockets that keep the couplers in close alignment, as well as automatic air couplings. An adapter knuckle is required to mate the automatic couplers with standard couplers.
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