Hello All,
Just visiting, hoping to get a simple? question answered.
I have always loved trains and to me the iconic locomotive is the EMD F7, particularly with the Canadian Pacific "Beaver Shield" or Santa Fe livery. I rode the Great Northern as a kid.
I was looking at some old photos and it made me wonder what was under the "nose" of the unit? Depending on which F, (or which railroad?) it appears that that area can accessed from the outside front, or the engineers cab, but I'm not sure.
I first thought that it was just a style thing, following auto designs, but most later locomotives had a large area in front of the operators cab as well. I've found a few cutaway drawings but they all seem to focus on the business end, with the diesel/generator, electrical, air system and traction motors. No reference to that fairly large space up front.
I assume that there must be a good reason for it, as it restricts vision and makes for some fairly small windows, unlike what is seen on light rail, and some locomotives, these days. Some units only have small side windows due to the large, and much taller area in front. Very puzzling...
Can someone satisfy my curiosity?
Thank you,
Bob
Just visiting, hoping to get a simple? question answered.
I have always loved trains and to me the iconic locomotive is the EMD F7, particularly with the Canadian Pacific "Beaver Shield" or Santa Fe livery. I rode the Great Northern as a kid.
I was looking at some old photos and it made me wonder what was under the "nose" of the unit? Depending on which F, (or which railroad?) it appears that that area can accessed from the outside front, or the engineers cab, but I'm not sure.
I first thought that it was just a style thing, following auto designs, but most later locomotives had a large area in front of the operators cab as well. I've found a few cutaway drawings but they all seem to focus on the business end, with the diesel/generator, electrical, air system and traction motors. No reference to that fairly large space up front.
I assume that there must be a good reason for it, as it restricts vision and makes for some fairly small windows, unlike what is seen on light rail, and some locomotives, these days. Some units only have small side windows due to the large, and much taller area in front. Very puzzling...
Can someone satisfy my curiosity?
Thank you,
Bob