Get To Know the Railway Cowcatcher

Cowcatcher is a device that attaches to the front of the train in order to eliminate the obstacles out of line. Was created in 1838 by engineer United Kingdom Charles Babbage, the device is now used mainly in North America, because modern European rail system tend to be fenced and less vulnerable to the danger of foreign bodies in the rail industry. In locomotive cowcatcher, more commonly referred to as pilot.

Cowcatcher usually shallow, wedge V-shaped, and designed to deflect objects from Rails with a fairly high speeds without interfering with the smooth motion of the train. The form serves to lifting any object on the rail and push to the side, out of the line of the locomotive behind him.

The first model built from a series of cowcatcher metal rod on a frame or chassis, but sheet metal and cast steel models are becoming more popular because it is able to work more smoothly.

When the steam-powered locomotives became more common, often fitted with cowcatcher coupler drop. The front coupler is a device used to connect train cars each other, formed as the hinges to get out of the way to prevent catching on barriers.

Other models that are more used to be a pilot is the pilot of the footboard, featuring step-by-step railway workers could stand and catch a ride. In 1960, the pilots were banned and replaced with a more secure platform at the front and the rear of the locomotive.

Currently, people in the railway industry frowns on the term "Cowcatcher", but the pilot is still in use. A pilot is currently much smaller role than his predecessor. Since the front cabin has a diesel locomotive which carries the crew, the Pilot must be built to prevent struck objects from the cabin and out of line. A separate feature known as the anti climber is usually mounted on the top to protect the pilot's cabin.