Does anyone know a where to get a footboard pilot for HO Scale steam? I've looked on ebay and through Precision Scale's catalog. Seems like every other steam engine have this utilitarian pilot back in the day but nobody makes a model of it. Maybe its not sexy enough. Detail parts for steam are getting harder to come by as it is.
I bought pilots intended for Also diesel locomotivers, and used them on my tenders.
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They look good to me.
You might find a casting intended for a diesel locomotive that meets your needs.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Shapeways:
https://www.google.com/search?q=ho+footboard+pilot&client=firefox-b-1-ab&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=ubAgdBr-uJQ6rM%253A%252CQlR6mG3k8EKkaM%252C_&usg=__mrKWTKgZXwtFX5N2xGqBE4F5Jf0%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjdqK-8vrLZAhUtx1kKHTJNBKQQ9QEIrgEwBg#imgrc=ubAgdBr-uJQ6rM:
Precision Scale's catalogue shows several different styles of footboard pilots.
What locomotive are you using it on? I had the original Athearn ones on a couple of my Athearn Mikados....
....but changed them out for boiler tube-type road pilots...
The Athearn ones have the pilot deck included, and an extension on that which fits under the cylinder casting. I also have a cast metal one, from Bowser. It consists of the pilot beam, footboard supports, and a one-piece footboard extending across under the coupler pocket. It's cast as a single piece, and I don't know if it's intended for a diesel or steam locomotive. There's a bit of a tab on the rear of the pilot beam that appears to be for mounting purposes.If you're interested, contact me via PM.
Wayne
Footboards are included in the pilots for many specific locos. But these all tended to be custom applications, varying in detail with each loco placed in service, then they were regularly "modified" in grade crtossing collisions.
That's one reason for the lack that is perceived.
Then there's the fact that they are pretty easy to cobble up on your own. If you can solder, that's a bonus, but there are other ways to fab some up..
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
PSC has some in their catalog.
No idea what a "utilitarian pilot" is. Any railroad that had a footboard pilot would have been their design and not a utilitarian pilot.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
wleberkDetail parts for steam are getting harder to come by as it is.
I often check the offerings of this ebay seller j-tprantle. They seem to have many hard-to-find detail parts.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Precision-Scale-HO-32503-pilot-Beam-w-foot-board-Switch-Type-N-W/391916049339?hash=item5b400453bb:g:uRUAAOSwCMFZ96Oi
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Selley-HO-248-Pilot-Light-Cast-Metal-Kit/232502626684?hash=item36223c897c:g:EukAAOSwM15ZyttE
Good Luck, Ed
Yep it appears that way for my prototype. Most of their steam came with different pilots and were later modified with footboard pilots for switching and mine runs. The BLI Mike i'm working on comes with the "as delivered" pilot. Probably gonna knock something together myself.