Newbie Curiosity

[Pragma]

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

 

[UP Scott]

Hi Bob, I don't have an exact answer here, but I have seen pictures of "what's under the hood" someplace but I can't recall where. That said, be sure to look through the pictures section here on the forum and see if someone had some here or not. It's nice to just look anyway, but if I remember right, there was not a lot there but some controls for maybe air and electric, but mostly empty space. Good luck on your search... Oh, and you might check on the Diesel Shop site too, they may have some info there too? I'll admit, I don't know if they were/are around still?
Later...

 

[CGW101c]

Looking at the cutaway drawings from "Our GM Scrapbook" published by Trains Magazine in 1971, I see the following Items located in the nose area:
A rack of air brake valves and related equipment, a ladder to go from the floor, that is level with the bottom of the nose door, to the engineers area of the cab. Under the cab floor there are some air tanks and traction motor blowers. I remember on the Chicago Great Western F units there was a roll of toilet paper hanging on the center post of the front windows, so I would say porta potty could have been in there too. F's are my favorite loco. I grew up watching and listening to them switching at Ingalton IL. I have a set of 6 Athearn Genesis models that replicate my memories very well. And don't forget the classification lights are in there with their color changing capabilities. I imagine in 1949 those we manual.

 

[Pragma]

Scott: It is indeed nice just to look at the photos, but no aha moments yet. Also, Diesel Shop is still around, and again, great photos but nothing conclusive.

Tom: Your description fits with Scott's impression, so I'm going to run with that. I had a gut feeling that they were mostly empty. Athearn... That brings back very fond memories of my HO set and the smell of Testor's paint and glue. Must. not . think . about . that. Too many projects already ;-)

Railroads were king back then and the Streamliners were all about style and the future. I think this also applied to the "lesser" locos, because when you see an F series coming down the track, it's all about power. It's seems to shout "I'm comin' thru!!"

Than you both for replying.

Bob