pilot engine

American  

noun

1. a locomotive sent on ahead of a railroad train to see that the way is clear and the track safe.

---

pilot engine British  

noun

1. a locomotive that leads one or more other locomotives at the head of a train of coaches or wagons

---

Etymology

Origin of pilot engine

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pilot engine

A special pilot engine, tugging three cars full of Secret Service agents and railroad detectives, pulled out five minutes ahead of the presidential special to scout out possible sabotage along the 133-mile run.

From Time Magazine Archive

The pilot engine is fifteen minutes in advance of the Royal carriages at every station, and the space travelled over in that fifteen minutes is kept free and unobstructed. 

From Railway Adventures and Anecdotes extending over more than fifty years by Various

It stuck in my crop—the idea of putting the boy on a pilot engine to take all the dangers ahead of that particular train; but I had a good deal else to think of besides.

From The Nerve of Foley And Other Railroad Stories by Spearman, Frank H. (Frank Hamilton)

Under Mr. Van Britt's directions the engineer and fireman of the pilot engine brought tools and the break was repaired.

From The Wreckers by Lynde, Francis

In this weary suspense, a quarter of an hour, half an hour, three quarters passed, and my watch shewed 3.30, and still not a sign of even the pilot engine was visible.

From By Right of Sword by Marchmont, Arthur W. (Arthur Williams)