<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (September 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (September 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> In railroading, the pilot (also known as a cowcatcher or cattle catcher) is the device mounted at the front of a locomotive to deflect obstacles on the track that might otherwise derail the train . </P> <P> In addition to the pilot, small metal bars called life - guards, rail guards or guard irons (UK) are provided immediately in front of the wheels . They knock away smaller obstacles lying directly on the running surface of the railhead . Historically, fenced - off railway systems in Europe relied exclusively on those devices and did not use pilots, but that design is rarely used in modern systems . </P>

What is the front part of a train called