RS-3 typical orientation

@Pat Coil posted:

Would a Seaboard RS-3 in the late 50's typically run long hood forward pulling freight?

First, do you know which end the Seaboard designated as "Front", i.e. where was the letter "F"?

Second, just like the EMD GP7, and /or GP9, many railroads dispatched them in whatever direction they were facing, i.e. short hood front or long hood front, didn't matter to the shop, never mind what the operating crews wanted.

yes. or no. either hood. maybe.

On the Pennsy, all first generation diesels were set up for long hood as the front.    The long hood was considered the front, and the control stands in the cab were set up that way.    The exception was the Alco, RSD7s which were set up as short hood for the front.   The Alco RSD15 was probably short hood front also, but it might be considered second generation.

I think many eastern roads had the RS3s, RS1s, GP7, and GP set up as long hood forward.

On a long mainline run, I think the RRs and the crews probably wanted the "front" facing forward so the engineer could see the track ahead, and his control panel for the loco without turning around.

Some roads ordered locos with "dual" control stands, one on each facing opposite ways.    I think the N&W had a few of these but not sure.    I have heard of them.

On rrpicturearchives.net, both SCL RS3s 1250 & 1253 have the F on the long hood. Unable to create link.

RS-3s worked equally well in either direction - for example, Rock Island used them for many years in Chicago commuter service since they didn't need to be turned. They'd run long hood first one direction, short hood back the other way.

However, I believe all railroads (except Northern Pacific) designated the long hood of their RS-3s as the front (with the "F").

@wjstix posted:

RS-3s worked equally well in either direction - for example, Rock Island used them for many years in Chicago commuter service since they didn't need to be turned. They'd run long hood first one direction, short hood back the other way.

I believe that the Rock Island commuter RS-3 units had dual controls and No.6 air brake equipment.  At least, that's what an ex-Rock Island Engineer told me.

A diesel can run equally well in either direction.     the engineer may find it harder to run with his back to the controls and/or his back to the track.

But with dual controls - it works for both the loco and the engineman

I believe I saw something to the fact that first generation  freight units were designed for long hood forward running for 2 reasons.  1) since most early diesel engineers had transitioned from steam, running long hood forward was more familiar to them and to accept, 2) running long hood forward gave trainmen added protection in case of a crash.

@third rail posted:

I believe I saw something to the fact that first generation  freight units were designed for long hood forward running for 2 reasons.

Well, they weren't "designed" that way, but all the diesel electric locomotive builders of that era, would provide each and every customer the "front" configuration they desired, i.e. long hood front or short hood front.

1) since most early diesel engineers had transitioned from steam, running long hood forward was more familiar to them and to accept, 2) running long hood forward gave trainmen added protection in case of a crash.

Both true statements.

@wjstix posted:

However, I believe all railroads (except Northern Pacific) designated the long hood of their RS-3s as the front (with the "F").

Not all. The Missouri Pacific ordered several of their RS-3's set up short hood forward. I don't have any non-copyrighted pictures I can share to illustrate, but I'll bet a 'net search will turn up some examples for you.

Andre

Good question. I'm pretty sure our museum (Southern California Railway Museum, formerly OERM) runs the RSD-3's we have long hood forward typically. Both of those were used overseas during WWII.

@Paul Khoury posted:

Good question. I'm pretty sure our museum (Southern California Railway Museum, formerly OERM) runs the RSD-3's we have long hood forward typically. Both of those were used overseas during WWII.

But, which is the designated "Front"? Where is the FRA required "F" mounted?

@prrjim posted:

On the Pennsy, all first generation diesels were set up for long hood as the front.    The long hood was considered the front, and the control stands in the cab were set up that way.    The exception was the Alco, RSD7s which were set up as short hood for the front.   The Alco RSD15 was probably short hood front also, but it might be considered second generation.

I think many eastern roads had the RS3s, RS1s, GP7, and GP set up as long hood forward.

On a long mainline run, I think the RRs and the crews probably wanted the "front" facing forward so the engineer could see the track ahead, and his control panel for the loco without turning around.

Some roads ordered locos with "dual" control stands, one on each facing opposite ways.    I think the N&W had a few of these but not sure.    I have heard of them.

LIRR too. Right up through the L1 and L2 class engines (Alco C420s). The low nose GP38-2s were the first hood units set up for short-hood-forward operation.

Not surprising, considering the LIRR was a wholly owned subsidiary of the PRR until 1966, when it was sold to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.