Big Boy Pilot Clearance above the Middle Rail

Hmmmmmmm.  The top photo sure makes it appear that the pilot assembly is bent downward.

The front cylinders and pilot deck are definitely at an angle.

 

Rusty

That definitely looks bent, and should NOT be that close to the rails.

I'll third the "bent" . Having said that, move over or remove the pilot truck altogether and see what you have in the way of screws holding the pilot and steamchest on.

 

Maybe tightening or loosening adjusting and tightening can get things back where there supposed to be.

 

Unless of course it is indeed bent, then it depends on "feelin lucky"  trying to gently bend it back.

 

Otherwise, contact Lionel for a replacement.

is this a condition we will see on all of the Big Boys?

 

 

Bob C.

The whole front deck appears bent, mine doesn't look like that on level track.

 

Here's a "track view" picture, looks how slanted yours appears. If anything, mine seems tilted up a tad.

 

 

The only steamer I own is the Polar Express so I am not even in the same "class" as all of you....but I doubt that it is bent.  More likely the mounting for the steam chest has become loose and allowed it to rock forward.  

 

http://www.lionel.com/Customer...c0-a211-b62fb31c68c9

 

 

 

I havent gotten my loco yet so I will have to wait and see what mine looks like. I hope  that i dont have this problem. At any rate, this looks like a spectacular loco.

 

Bob C.

It's certainly possible it's just loose screws, my only observation is that it's not right.

 

Mine is level but I have(2) the TMCC and Legacy version.Something not right send it back!!!Nick

Thanks for all the replies!  we'll be examining it closer before it  is returned and we'll let you know the outcome.  Our distributor won't be available for an RA until Monday.  Happy Weekend everyone!

 

 

He's the only one to report it so far and it's probably something very simple.