Thanks to Ron H and his thread on detailing a Lionel E6 I discovered Lionel made a pilot with a closed coupler hole. While I don't consider myself a 3RS guy I don't like the look of that big coupler sticking a few scale yards out in front of any E, F, or PA unit for than matter. I wish all manufacturers offered multiple pilot options like K-Line did towards their last few years.
Before learning of the Lionel part I took the MTH pilot and closed it with some styrene and brass wire for hinges. A few days ago the Lionel pilot showed. I had to make an adapter for it and still have to find some matching paint but here it is.
What I started out with.
Modified MTH pilot.
Lionel pilot.
The Lionel pilot has better detail and is also 3 scale inches taller than the MTH one. It ends up about 9.5 scale inches above the rails. I will have to lower the body to get it any closer, which I may still. The pilot is not fixed but still mounts to the truck. I may still mount it to the frame when I settle on the final height.
Here is the bracket I made to adapt the pilot to the MTH truck.
I am now looking to do something similar to my MTH Alco PA. Any leads on closed pilots or more scale open coupler pilots for PAs would be appreciated.
Pete
BTW Central guys, I know they didn't have any E6s. i am still hoping Scott decides to add the Beauty Queen paint scheme to his next run of E7s. In the meantime this will have to pass. com'on Scott.
