The FRA, successor to the ICC, with more generations of bureaucratic bumblers behind it, decreed that there would be no morepilot steps on locomotives, which led to sad butchery on many rather historic items. Perhaps they were inspired by OSHA, or theState of California (there are other contenders for the premier nanny state title, such as Minnesota where I currently sojourn, butCalifornia is still the champion) to protect people from themselves and potential stupidity.
Jace Kahn General Manager Ceres & Canisteo RR Co./Champlain County Traction Co. To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:04:38 -0600 Subject: Re: {S-Scale List} American Flyer U-33C Two questions, sir: 1. How would accommodate the various shapes of these pilot areas? Surely they are not all the same. 2. What " Illegal" pilot steps. Thanks Much. DJE ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob Werre To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 9:53 AM Subject: Re: {S-Scale List} American Flyer U-33C More than once, I've thought that I've needed to fill in the pilot holes in my PA's, GP-35's etc. etc.! It seem that most of our engines could use a simple urethane (or similar) casting to make these a quick simple appearance enhancement. I filled the front of my U 25B's when I re-detailed those units, but then you realize how many engines need the work you sort of go drift into other projects. I think somebody doing this could make a tidy little business making up little mini kits for most of our engines--AM--SHS and now Lionel/AF. Additionally more modern versions of the front pilots (less the illegal front steps) would help keep our railroads from receiving those pesky government fines! Go to it Bill! Bob Werre PhotoTraxx All, I am in the very last leg of a major project which I will report on later – maybe this week. Some time before spring springs I could investigate making a new pilot or some other part which more easily converts the U33 into a fixed scale coupler loco if someone cares to send me theirs to look at. I think with reasonable surety I will not be buying the U33 because it is too new for my era. Thank You, Bill Lane
