The Philadelphia Chapter of the

National Railway Historical Society

Established in 1936

A follow up to last week's cowcatcher page.

According to a source ...

SEPTA is now overhauling the trucks on the ex- RDG GE Silverliner IV's and is cutting off the cow catcher from the front of the trucks and welding a pilot to the frame in front of the truck. The pilot is the same as the EX-PRR GE's have on them now that was put on them when built new. In a grade crossing accident, on a RDG MU, a car get under the front of the MU up to the truck, possibly causing the MU to ride up over the auto. The PRR pilot stops the auto in front of the spear coupler, preventing the MU from riding up on top of the auto. It is not that difficult to tell the converted cars as the new weld and paint on the pilot will give it away and the fresh cutting marks can still seen on the old cow catcher trucks. The old RDG married pair cars are in the 100 to 188 numbers with some of the ex RDG single MU GE's renumbered to the 400 numbers.

All pictures January 2006 Copyright © 2006 John P. Almeida

Photographs for personal use only. All rights reserved by original owner of image. Reproduction or redistribution in any form without express written permission is prohibited.