COWCATCHER, also termed a cattle-guard or pilot, a steel framework which is V-shaped in plan and attached to the front beam of a locomotive or rail-coach. It is necessary in countries where the lines are unfenced or unprotected. The dia gram shows the construction, with a central coupling. Tramcars are also fitted thus in some countries, and the idea has been adopted to a slight extent for motor-vehicles. The ordinary guard in European designed locomotives is just two steel bars hanging down from the framing to within a couple of inches or so of the line; in the case of bogies the guards, of course, are attached to their frames. American locomotives which are not stream-lined ordinarily have V-shaped extensions from the drop frame.
