Pilot

The printable version is no longer supported and may have rendering errors. Please update your browser bookmarks and please use the default browser print function instead.

From Wikipedia:

In railroading, the pilot (also known as a cowcatcher, cattle catcher or cow plow) is the device mounted at the front of a locomotive to deflect obstacles on the track that might otherwise derail the train.

Tough to beat the durability of welded bar-stock. This one is at least 34 years. Photo by Stephen Balkum.

Mikado Welded Pilot

Doug Blodgett posted on steambuilders@HALSTalking.groups.io:

Here are photos from construction of a replacement for my pilot. It became necessary after I broke the original casting several times during derails. The last time, it hit the end of a board between the tracks and that did it in for good

I had the luxury of having the plans to get the sizes from, but you ought to be able to make reasonable estimates if you don’t have the actual part. I made up the supporting pieces and welded those together while they were attached to the engine. What appears to be tinfoiI in one of the photos is actually a heat shield material. I felt it would be easier to make sure everything would fit by doing it that way. After the frame was built, I removed the it from the engine and started welding in the supports which are solid, not tubing. Of course, the cast iron pilot was also solid, so there really is no difference. These are not to the same scale as the drawing and are heavier because that’s what I had on hand.