question on an unknown engine part

[rkutzler]

Does anyone know the name of the engine part that is in front and looks like it is supposed to clear debris from the track? I'm sure this is a lame question but please help?! Thanks!

[selector]

Do you mean what we commonly call the cow catcher?  In the steam era it was more formally known as the pilot, but cow-catcher is fine.  Modern diesels have similar devices, but I believe they are more commonly referred to as plows....because they are meant to clear the track like a plow, including from snow.

[rkutzler]

Thank you! My sons (1 and a half and 3 years old) love Thomas the Train and they are so excited when one of the engines have a cow catcher. They will be stoked to know the correct term.

[quartering machine]

 I agree with the first responder. On later engines the pilot is bolted to the pilot beam which is bolted to the engine bed "locomotive frame". Pilots are typically made of steel pipe and angle iron in later years.

 The beams in early days were wood but later were a strong hollow steel castings used by builders to lift the engine by erecting bridge cranes they are also a place to place your jack to lift the engine when needed.  You will notice a concave cup shaped pocket at each front end corner of the beam. When a car needs pushing and it is siting on a track next to a track with a loco, you place one end of a push pole in this pocket and the other end against the car and push. This allows you to push rolling stock that is on other tracks besides the one the engine is on. Steam locos typically don't like to go on tracks that are not straight.  Russell