Restoration Update: A New Pilot

Boatbuilder Jeremy Fisher-Smith is building a new “cowcatcher” for Engine No. 9 in his workshop on the shores of Tomales Bay. A “cowcatcher” is properly called a pilot. When finished, the wood and steel piece will weigh about 300-pounds.

Turns out, it's very complicated.

Below are 3 photos. The first shows Jeremy standing next to one of the life-sized plans he’s using to cut the pieces. The second shows him showing the placement of a few pieces. When finished, the pilot will be 6.5 feet wide and 27-inches high. The third photo is of No. 9 on Mt. Tamalpais in 1921 with its original pilot. No. 9 has not had this kind of pilot since 1924, 100 years ago.

One of our advisers, Joe Breeze, spent hundreds of hours, researching and designing this piece. It's made of wood and thick steel. It’s based on old photos of No. 9 and existing pilots on other steam engines. It turns out they are fairly similar in design but we did not have a blueprint. Joe Breeze meticulously created the new blueprint the Jeremy is using. Joe and Jeremy are old school chums.

Fred Runner

President

Friends of No. 9, Inc.

A Nonprofit Corporation

www.FriendsOfNo9.org

Watch historic movie footage of the Tamalpais Railway on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCncgSKGgXLN23euCfTNPZLA