Will Aguilar, left, and Alan Palmer with G Force Choppers, Chama, NM, prepare to drill a bolt hole in the wood beam of the reconstructed pilot for Alamosa’s Engine 169. The pair crafted the new pilot, modeling it after the 169’s original pilot.

By KEITH R. CERNY

ALAMOSA — After years of fundraising and painstaking reconstruction, the pilot has been reattached to the front of Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Engine 169.

A crew bolted the estimated 2,000-pound pilot to the 169 where it sits in the pavilion in Cole Park here. Commonly called a “cow-catcher”, the pilot was reconstructed by G Force Choppers of Chama, NM.

Found at the historic crash site on the Cumbres-Toltec line, the 169’s original pilot was used as a pattern to build the new one, according to Chuck Proudfoot, president of the Friends of 169. The Friends were responsible for raising donations and grant funds to refurbish the engine and tender.

Engine 169 and Engine 411 were involved in a deadly, head-on collision on Sept. 22, 1922. The crew of the 169 perished while the crew of the 411 survived, however the 169 was returned to service while the 411 was scrapped.

Will Aguilar of G Force did the metal work on the pilot and contracted with Alan Palmer to sculpt the main beam from a large piece of wood. The new pilot is presently primed with paint but will be painted black to match the engine when warmer weather permits painting, Proudfoot said.