Thanks Eric, I was referring to the pilot, not the pilot truck. That flat sheet metal pilot looks like a replacement, as does the sheet metal rear of the cab. That Ives might have acually made such a pilot strikes me as unlikely.
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I note from your earlier note that there is an Ives train society and I'm pausing my writing to take a look - just found the web site ... now thinking about joining ...sent an "Information on My Train" request
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What I suspect at this point is that the engine was dropped breaking off the pilot and part of the cab. I see that the actual Ives side rods look like a casting also.
I'm beginning to think that the best value that could be realized for this engine would be to dismantle it and sell the parts, hoping that I can get the motor running.
Is there an active market for Ives pasts such as there is for Lionel ?
Malcolm Laughlin
