A locomotive has two pilots, one on each end where it interfaces with other units and/or the cars its hauling. The main component is the coupler on each end, along with the adjacently mounted train line air hose. These are the basic connections between all freight cars and other locomotives.
Working outward from the coupler on each side, there are multiple unit hoses that connect the pneumatic functions of each locomotive. Today, there are the standard three hoses on each side, each group a duplicate of the other side. The inside pair of hoses closest to the coupler are the main reservoir hoses, which connect each locomotive’s main air reservoirs together. The middle two are actuating hoses, used to bail off (release) the locomotive brakes following an application of the train brakes via the automatic brake handle. The outside pair are the application/release hoses for the independent brake on the locomotives. Any combination of three to six hoses can be connected, as long as one of each type is connected during operation. For the electrical connection between locomotives, a 27-pin m.u. cable is located across the top of the pilot and connects two locomotives’ functions including such things as forward/reverse, headlight, dynamic brakes, and wheel slip.
Also along the top of the pilot is the uncoupling lever, commonly known as the cut lever. This is a metal rod secured to the pilot with handles on each side that allows a crew member to pull the pin on the coupler to disconnect the locomotive from another piece of equipment. A snowplow can be mounted on the bottom of the pilot to remove snow or redirect objects away from the tracks. Located along the top edge of all modern locomotives is the anticlimber, which resembles an overhanging porch above the pilot. This was mandated on all new locomotives in 1990 as part of a comprehensive group of safety improvements designed to prevent one locomotive from overrunning the pilot of another during a head-on collision to better protect the crew members occupying the cab.
While this describes the basic features, the number of connections and other appliances on a pilot can be significantly more complex. For example, passenger locomotives and locomotives set up to operate with unpowered slugs will have more connections on the pilot to interface with passenger cars and slugs, respectively.
Very informative. Thanks