Chris et al.
Thanks for noticing the ever differences in the way that the D&RG made their pilots. When we started on this project, we too noticed the vast differences in construction technics that were used. We considered tackling building a prototypical pilot for this special fund raising charter. When we spected out the cost, of custom sawn oak, and fir to match the blue prints, the costs came to over $2,400, just for the wood. WOW it get's expensive fast.
As this whole project was to help the C&T raise some $$$ for their special projects, The DRHS is going to run the loco at cost, and the crew was volunteering their time and eating their personal expenses to help the fundraising get the most $ possible. Like I said in the initial posting we were going to keep the costs to the bare minimum, to help with the profit for the C&T special projects.
We (the DRHS ) would love to have a correct Pilot for the front of 425.. The costs to re-create long gone original parts has skyrocketed, and having to have New patterns made and castings poured, and then machined for only one or two finished pieces really runs the cost up when it comes to restorations, not just for 315/425 but for all the train stuff. Just look at RGS 20 as an example. And people wonder why it costs $1M+ to bring a locomotive back to life.
As of right now, basically finished with the construction, we have < $60 into what you see using only common lumber from the big box . There hopefully will only be the added cost of some primer and paint. and a metal band around the front. ( and I Think I can get that piece donated ).
I really hope that others have learned a bit about the ever changing D&RG engines, and that there were very few things in the D&RG that stayed the same as the cars and engines ran along in their life time.