Current Projects

[hillyard999]

Matt,
I'm no expert, but I think it would look better if there was less gap.
Plus, you may have problems uncoupling if the plow extends too far beyond the pilot.

[jim currie]

in the real world the plows are verry close to the rail top but we as modelers we have to make some changes for reliability on tracking so if you like the look as is nail it.
Jim

[Charlie B]

Matt, here is the FRA ruling on pilot height

§ 229.123 Pilots, snowplows, end plates.

(a) Each lead locomotive shall be equipped with a pilot, snowplow, or end plate that extends across both rails. The minimum clearance above the rail of the pilot, snowplow or end plate shall be 3 inches. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the maximum clearance shall be 6 inches. When the locomotive is equipped with a combination of the equipment listed in this paragraph, each extending across both rails, only the lowest piece of that equipment must satisfy clearance requirements of this section.


b) To provide clearance for passing over retarders, locomotives utilized in hump yard or switching service at hump yard locations may have pilot, snowplow, or end plate maximum height of 9 inches.
(1) Each locomotive equipped with a pilot, snowplow, or end plate with clearance above 6 inches shall be prominently stenciled at each end of the locomotive with the words “9-inch Maximum End Plate Height, Yard or Trail Service Only.”
(2) When operated in switching service in a leading position, locomotives with a pilot, snowplow, or end plate clearance above 6 inches shall be limited to 10 miles per hour over grade crossings.
(3) Train crews shall be notified in writing of the restrictions on the locomotive, by label or stencil in the cab, or by written operating instruction given to the crew and maintained in the cab of the locomotive.
(4) Pilot, snowplow, or end plate clearance above 6 inches shall be noted in the remarks section of Form FRA 6180-49a.
(5) Locomotives with a pilot, snowplow, or end plate clearance above 6 inches shall not be placed in the lead position when being moved under section § 229.9.


Charlie

[TMo]

For the units that I added plows to, I ended up getting some longer length couplers from Kadee to accommodate the extra stuff on the front of the locomotive.   I do agree with Jim, to deal with typical track transitions, you'll probably end up with a plow that sits just a little lower than the bottom surface of the pilot which is not prototypical but smart in avoiding future crackups.  

Here's a shot of an Athearn unit with a factory installed plow (minus coupler at the moment).