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Cowcatcher of an American 1911 Baldwin steam locomotive at the Texas Transportation Museum

Leading truck and cowcatcher on the *John Bull*

Pilot of a modern Indian locomotive class WAG-9

Lifeguard (circled) on a UK HST powercar

A cowcatcher, also known as a pilot, is the device mounted at the front of a locomotive to deflect obstacles on the track that might otherwise damage or derail it or the train.

In the UK, small metal bars called life-guards, rail guards or guard irons are provided immediately in front of the wheels. They knock away smaller obstacles lying directly on the running surface of the railhead. Historically, fenced-off railway systems in Europe relied exclusively on those devices and cowcatchers were not required, but in modern systems cowcatchers have generally superseded them.^{[citation needed]}

Instead of a cowcatcher, trams use a device called a fender. Objects lying on the tram track come in contact with a sensor bracket, which triggers the lowering of a basket-shaped device to the ground, preventing the overrunning of the obstacles and dragging them along the road surface in front of the wheels.

In snowy areas the cowcatcher also has the function of a snowplough.

Invention

An idea for a cowcatcher was proposed by Charles Babbage in 1830, during his period of working for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway.^[1] However, Babbage's invention was not constructed, and it is uncertain whether later manufacturers were aware of Babbage's idea.

The first practical cowcatcher is widely credited to Isaac Dripps, who fitted one to the John Bull (locomotive) in 1833 ^[2] shortly after steam haulage commenced on the Camden and Amboy Railroad. His design is described and illustrated in David Stevenson's book Sketch of the Civil Engineering of North America, published in 1838.

Design

Old Timers at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, Duluth, Minnesota

On a mainline locomotive, the cowcatcher has to successfully deflect an obstacle hit at speed. The design principle is to push the object upwards and sideways out of the way and not to lift the locomotive on impact.

The typical shape is a blunt wedge with a shallow V-shape in plan. In the later days of steam locomotives, the front coupler was designed to swing out of the way also, so it could not get caught up; this was called a 'drop coupler pilot'.

Early on, cowcatchers were normally fabricated of bars mounted on a frame; later on, sheet metal cowcatchers were often used for their additional smoothness, and some cast steel cowcatchers were employed for their mass and smooth shape. Early diesel locomotives followed the same plan.

Cowcatchers on early switcher locomotives in the US often had steps (called "footboard pilots") to allow yard workers to ride with the locomotive. In some countries, footboard pilots are outlawed for safety reasons, and have been removed. Modern locomotives often have front and rear platforms with safety rails, or deeply recessed steps, where workers can ride.

Modern cowcatchers

Most modern European rail vehicles must have cowcatchers with a snowplough function and rail guards. The required strength of the system is 30 kN (3,059 kp) in the middle of the track and 50 kN (5,099 kp) near the rails.^[3]

Modern US diesel locomotives have flatter, less wedge-shaped cowcatchers, because a diesel locomotive has the cab near the front, and the crew are vulnerable to impact from obstacles pushed up by the cowcatcher.

Anti-climbers

An anti-climber on the front of an Australian NR class diesel locomotive

To protect the crew and passengers, most modern locomotives have a horizontally grooved steel beam known as an anti-climber fitted across the front, above the coupler. Its purpose is to prevent colliding locomotives from riding up and moving over the locomotive frame through the cab.

References

^ Hyman, Anthony (1982). Charles Babbage: Pioneer of the Computer. Oxford University Press. pp. 142–143. ISBN 0-19-858170-X. Babbage suggested to Hodgson of the railway company what was later to be called a 'cow-catcher' for sweeping obstacles off the line.
^ White, John (1979). A History of the American Locomotive. Dover Publications. p. 211. ISBN 9780486238180.
^ "§ 41 Bahnräumer und Schienenräumer". Verordnung über den Bau und Betrieb der Straßenbahnen (Straßenbahn-Bau- und Betriebsordnung - BOStrab). (in German). 2008-11-07. Retrieved 2009-03-29.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{short description|Device at the front of a locomotive to deflect an obstacle from the track}}
-{{Distinguish|Pilot engine}}
-{{refimprove|date=September 2012}}
+{{Use British English|date=April 2021}}
+{{more citations needed|date=September 2012}}
-[[Image:1911 Baldwin 2-8-0 Steam at Texas Transportation museum 3.jpg|thumb|right|Pilot of a 1911 [[Baldwin Locomotive Works|Baldwin]] [[steam locomotive]] at the [[Texas Transportation Museum]]]]
+[[Image:1911 Baldwin 2-8-0 Steam at Texas Transportation museum 3.jpg|thumb|right|Cowcatcher of an American 1911 [[Baldwin Locomotive Works|Baldwin]] [[steam locomotive]] at the [[Texas Transportation Museum]]]]
-[[Image:John Bull.jpg|thumb|Leading truck and pilot on the ''[[John Bull (locomotive)|John Bull]]'']]
+[[Image:John Bull.jpg|thumb|Leading truck and cowcatcher on the ''[[John Bull (locomotive)|John Bull]]'']]
 [[Image:Indian Railways WAG-9 31054.jpg|thumb|Pilot of a modern [[Indian locomotive class WAG-9]]]]
 [[Image:Lifeguard on Class 43 powercar.jpg|thumb|right|Lifeguard (circled) on a UK [[British Rail Class 43 (HST)|HST powercar]]]]
-In [[railroad]]ing, the '''pilot''' (also known as a '''cowtipper''') is the device mounted at the front of a [[locomotive]] to deflect obstacles on the track that might otherwise [[Derailment|derail]] the train.
+A '''cowcatcher''', also known as a '''pilot''', is the device mounted at the front of a [[locomotive]] to deflect obstacles on the track that might otherwise damage or [[Derailment|derail]] it or the train.
-In addition to the pilot, small metal bars called ''life-guards'', ''rail guards'' or ''guard irons'' (UK) are provided immediately in front of the wheels. They knock away smaller obstacles lying directly on the running surface of the railhead. Historically, fenced-off railway systems in Europe relied exclusively on those devices and did not use pilots, but that design is rarely used in modern systems.
+In the UK, small metal bars called ''life-guards'', ''rail guards'' or ''guard irons'' are provided immediately in front of the wheels. They knock away smaller obstacles lying directly on the running surface of the railhead. Historically, fenced-off railway systems in Europe relied exclusively on those devices and cowcatchers were not required, but in modern systems cowcatchers have generally superseded them.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
-Instead of a pilot, [[tram]]s use a device called a '''fender'''. Objects lying on the tram track get hit by a sensor bracket, which triggers the lowering of a basket-shaped device to the ground, preventing the overrunning of the obstacles and dragging them along the road surface in front of the wheels.
+Instead of a cowcatcher, [[tram]]s use a device called a '''fender'''. Objects lying on the tram track come in contact with a sensor bracket, which triggers the lowering of a basket-shaped device to the ground, preventing the overrunning of the obstacles and dragging them along the road surface in front of the wheels.
-In snowy areas the pilot also has the function of a [[Snowplow#Railway snowplows|snowplow]].
+In snowy areas the cowcatcher also has the function of a [[Snowplow#Railway snowplows|snowplough]].
 ==Invention==
-The pilot was invented by [[Charles Babbage]] in the 19th century, during his period of working for the [[Liverpool and Manchester Railway]].<ref>{{cite book |last = Hyman |first = Anthony |title = Charles Babbage, Pioneer of the Computer |url = https://archive.org/details/charlesbabbagepi0000hyma |url-access = registration |year = 1982 |publisher = Oxford University Press |isbn = 0-19-858170-X |pages = [https://archive.org/details/charlesbabbagepi0000hyma/page/142 142]–143 |quote = Babbage suggested to Hodgson of the railway company what was later to be called a 'cow-catcher' for sweeping obstacles off the line.}}</ref> However, Babbage's invention was not built, and it is uncertain whether later users were aware of Babbage's idea.
+An idea for a cowcatcher was proposed by [[Charles Babbage]] in 1830, during his period of working for the [[Liverpool and Manchester Railway]].<ref>{{cite book |last = Hyman |first = Anthony |author-link=R. Anthony Hyman|title=[[Charles Babbage: Pioneer of the Computer]]|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|year = 1982 |isbn = 0-19-858170-X |pages = [https://archive.org/details/charlesbabbagepi0000hyma/page/142 142]–143 |quote = Babbage suggested to Hodgson of the railway company what was later to be called a 'cow-catcher' for sweeping obstacles off the line.}}</ref> However, Babbage's invention was not constructed, and it is uncertain whether later manufacturers were aware of Babbage's idea.
+The first practical cowcatcher is widely credited to Isaac Dripps, who fitted one to the [[John Bull (locomotive)]] in 1833   <ref>{{cite book |last= White |first= John |author-link= |date= 1979|title= A History of the American Locomotive |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=1A4iiGAz628C |publisher= Dover Publications |page= 211 |isbn=9780486238180}} </ref> shortly after steam haulage commenced on the [[Camden and Amboy Railroad and Transportation Company | Camden and Amboy Railroad]]. His design is described and illustrated in [[David Stevenson (engineer)| David Stevenson]]'s book ''Sketch of the Civil Engineering of North America'', published in 1838.
 ==Design==
+[[File:Old Timers at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, Duluth MN.jpg|thumb|Old Timers at the [[Lake Superior Railroad Museum]], Duluth, Minnesota]]
-On a mainline locomotive, the pilot has to successfully deflect an obstacle hit at speed; the ideal is to push it upwards and sideways out of the way. The locomotive should not lift on impact or the train will follow, and the ideal is for a fairly smooth structure so that the locomotive will not get caught and derailed.
+On a mainline locomotive, the cowcatcher has to successfully deflect an obstacle hit at speed. The design principle is to push the object upwards and sideways out of the way and not to lift the locomotive on impact.
-The typical shape is a blunt wedge that is shallowly V-shaped in plan. In the later days of [[steam locomotive]]s, the front [[coupling (railway)|coupler]] was designed to swing out of the way also, so it could not get caught up; this was called a 'drop coupler pilot'.
+The typical shape is a blunt wedge with a shallow V-shape in plan. In the later days of [[steam locomotive]]s, the front [[coupling (railway)|coupler]] was designed to swing out of the way also, so it could not get caught up; this was called a 'drop coupler pilot'.
-Early on, pilots were normally fabricated of bars mounted on a frame; later on, sheet metal pilots were often used for their additional smoothness, and some cast steel pilots were employed for their mass and smooth shape. Early diesel locomotives followed the same plan.
+Early on, cowcatchers were normally fabricated of bars mounted on a frame; later on, sheet metal cowcatchers were often used for their additional smoothness, and some cast steel cowcatchers were employed for their mass and smooth shape. Early diesel locomotives followed the same plan.
-Early [[shunting locomotive]]s often had a pilot with steps on it to allow yard workers to ride on the locomotive; these were called 'footboard pilots'. In some countries, footboard pilots are outlawed for safety reasons, and have been removed. Modern locomotives often have front and rear platforms with safety rails where workers can ride.
+Cowcatchers on early [[switcher locomotive]]s in the US often had steps (called "footboard pilots") to allow yard workers to ride with the locomotive. In some countries, footboard pilots are outlawed for safety reasons, and have been removed. Modern locomotives often have front and rear platforms with safety rails, or deeply recessed steps, where workers can ride.
-==Modern pilots==
+==Modern cowcatchers==
-Most modern [[Europe]]an rail vehicles must have pilots with [[snowplow]] function and rail guards by law. The required strength of the system is {{convert|30|kN|kp|0|abbr=on}} in the middle of the track and {{convert|50|kN|kp|0|abbr=on}} near the rails.<ref>{{cite web |title=§ 41 Bahnräumer und Schienenräumer |url=http://www.buzer.de/gesetz/5894/a81357.htm |work=Verordnung über den Bau und Betrieb der Straßenbahnen (Straßenbahn-Bau- und Betriebsordnung - [[BOStrab]]). |language = de |date=2008-11-07 |access-date=2009-03-29}}</ref>
+Most modern [[Europe]]an rail vehicles must have cowcatchers with a [[snowplow|snowplough]] function and rail guards. The required strength of the system is {{convert|30|kN|kp|0|abbr=on}} in the middle of the track and {{convert|50|kN|kp|0|abbr=on}} near the rails.<ref>{{cite web |title=§ 41 Bahnräumer und Schienenräumer |url=http://www.buzer.de/gesetz/5894/a81357.htm |work=Verordnung über den Bau und Betrieb der Straßenbahnen (Straßenbahn-Bau- und Betriebsordnung - [[BOStrab]]). |language = de |date=2008-11-07 |access-date=2009-03-29}}</ref>
-Modern US [[diesel locomotive]]s have flatter, less wedge-shaped pilots, because a diesel locomotive has the cab near the front, and the crew are vulnerable to impact from obstacles pushed up by the pilot.
+Modern US [[diesel locomotive]]s have flatter, less wedge-shaped cowcatchers, because a diesel locomotive has the cab near the front, and the crew are vulnerable to impact from obstacles pushed up by the cowcatcher.
 ==Anti-climbers==
-[[File:June 22, 2009 WMATA Collision - NTSB accident photo 439411.jpg|thumb|right|Anti-climbers engaged on two [[Washington Metro]] rail cars following a [[June 2009 Washington Metro train collision|collision]] in June 2009.]]
+[[File:Indian Pacific train hauled by locomotive NR28 in new 2005 livery.jpg|thumb|right|An anti-climber on the front of an Australian [[National Rail NR class|NR class]] diesel locomotive]]
-To protect the crew and passengers, most modern [[locomotive]]s and [[passenger car (rail)|passenger cars]] have a device known as an '''anti-climber''' fitted above the coupler, which is designed to prevent colliding vehicles from travelling up over the frame and through the locomotive cab or passenger car. Where a pilot is not fitted, a different type of anti-climber may be used. This is to prevent one [[passenger car (rail)|passenger car]] from riding up over another, or [[Telescoping (railway)|telescoping]] in a [[Train wreck|collision]].
+To protect the crew and passengers, most modern locomotives have a horizontally grooved steel beam known as an '''anti-climber''' fitted across the front, above the coupler. Its purpose is to prevent colliding locomotives from riding up and moving over the locomotive frame through the cab.
 == See also ==
 * [[Bullbar]]
+* [[Buffer (rail transport)]]
 * [[Buffer stop]]
 * [[Headstock (rolling stock)]]
@@ Line 51: / Line 57: @@
 [[Category:Locomotive parts]]
 [[Category:Railway safety]]
+[[Category:Steel objects]]