Front plates

[NJTransitFan 0]

What are those two front plates in the front of the trucks of the SIR R44 trains? I don't see them on the subway R44's.

[Brighton Local 703]

As a former Staten Islander for 22 years, I was always puzzled by that feature. For everyones Information, the SIR R44 Cars have been modified to meet the regulations of the FRA- Federal Railroad Administration, however, I believe these 2 plates are known as "cow catchers", and / or "side plates"

 

The way steam engines have that big black ramp set in the extreme lower front, ; these plates are supposedly used to clear animals ( if not already crushed by impact), and garbage out of the way of the wheels, so the train can have an easy ride along the rails

[Far Rock Depot 1,291]

The 2 front plates in front of the lead trucks are "pick-up bars" like the ones used on Metro-North Railroad for cab signaling. SIR runs on a similar signal system along with wayside signals