Oval holes in pilots on SD80MAC

Engineer-Joe posted:

 I try to build the models as best I can. Every once in awhile I ask, what's that for? I'm cutting the pilot faces for my SD80MAC. Up near the top of each step is a oval hole cut clear thru the pilot face. I can't tell why it's there?

Those are reinforced "cut-outs" to accept large hooks from crane cables, in order to pick up that end of the unit. Although many railroads simply lift up on end of the unit by the coupler arrangement, it is far safer to use those reinforced "cut-outs".

It's right next to each ditch light near the edge of the pilot face below the top step cutout.

Is it something to do with handling the cut lever?

Nope.

Thank you again Sir!

Cut lever access was the first thought that came to mind, but I don't have a locomotive handy to check that against the cut lever position. Now you've got me curious and I'm wondering if that carried over into the SD70ACe.

AGHRMatt posted:

Cut lever access was the first thought that came to mind, but I don't have a locomotive handy to check that against the cut lever position. Now you've got me curious and I'm wondering if that carried over into the SD70ACe.

Look closely at the photo, and you will see the notched-out top outer corners on each side of the endplate, which is the access for the cut-lever. It would be unsafe for a person to reach through either one of those lifting holes in order to access the cut-lever.

Judging by the shape, I would guess they're lift rings.

Rusty