The Canadian Pacific GP20C-ECO's look fantastic!

Running long-hood-forward does decrease visibility, I know from experience.  I realize there's a safety factor in the event of a crossing incident, but it also makes seeing signals, crossings and the track ahead more difficult.  Take this little GP20ECO unit for example.  If this engine were set up for LHF operation, the engineer wouldn't be able to see more than 10 feet or so of the track in the first picture.  Now imagine a big SD60, or a GE Dash-9 or EMD SD70ACe with those big flared radiators, and your "forward" visibility drops pretty quickly.

 

I don't have any statistics in front of me, but I'm willing to bet that train-crew fatalities haven't increased since the introduction of safety cabs.  And I'm certainly not going to trust a camera, even a VERY expensive one, to "see" for me.  A "slight" issue with the monitor's color is all it would take to cause a not-so-slight problem when reading a color-light signal.

"And I'm certainly not going to trust a camera" - When I drive, I don't fully trust the side and rear-view mirrors. I turn my head and look...

 

Always felt you could miss something, looking through mirrors. I think it would be something I'd have to get used - relying on mirrors, driving a 5th wheel or a semi.

 

I'd probably feel the same way about soley relying some type of radar system, too.

 

I'd have the shop weld me up an all-weather perch, if I was running long hood forward. Thar she blows!

 

 

Rick

 

Good Day,

 

Canadian Pacific GP20C-ECO in action.................

 

Regards,

Swafford

 

 

 

 

The T/I camera system works in conjunction with signals ( altho I'm not sure exactly how...possibly with a GPS interface), so that in the end, it's pretty much like PRR cab signals.  But if you insist...petition UP to convert 3985 into a cab forward...I mean she's already oil!

I never referred to 3985 or any other steam locomotive. I was referring to modern road diesels...

Same vision issues, unless you're running a B&O Winian's Camel !  You wide riders want to do it right?  Rediscover the F Unit !

I give up.

I'll take two F7's, please, coupled back-to-back. I'll change ends when I change direction. Thus, they will always run with the front end forward. The nose, cab, and engine compartment are all the same width, plus I will use the No.24 automatic brake valve for a foot rest as well as for its other functions.

Thank you very much, sir....You're Diesel entre will be coming right up!

Anyone see these on the rails?

 

Regards,

Swafford

 

Also, the so called "Canadian Comfort Cab" with its "desk top controller" wound up being a TOTAL DISASTER here in the U.S.! Why, because when the various U.S. railroads tested it, all the "wows", "gee whizzes", and subsequent "approvals" and "raves" from the Unions, all came from people who did NOT actually operate locomotives for a living. The approvers where all "arm chair" union executives and railroad mechanical department managers. Thus, EMD Engineering Dept. was FORCED to design and manufacture a truly uncomfortable working environment for the Locomotive Engineer. For example, have YOU ever sat at your diner table for 11 1/2 hours without even being able to put your feet up?

 

 

You have a point, but don't forget the comfort cab with a standard control panel  was in use a long time (years) before the desk top control panel   I'm more familiar with engine numbers  but  out of the  loop now....

 

Trying  to switch and  look for hand signals with a desk top was a pain in the butt. 

Good Day,

 

I'm curious, is the Canadian Pacific GP20C-ECO's order for 150 units been completed yet?

 

Great looking engine! 

 

Regards,

Swafford