DD40X air gap in the long hood why is it there?

[Anonymous]

Dose anyone out there know why there is a air gap in the long hood on the dd40x glenn-b0b[:p]

[ndbprr]

As I remember the DD-40 was two GPor SD - 40's on a single frame with four axle trucks. The fuel requirements probably dictated the frame legnth and the lack of a need for a second cab probably dictated the above frame carbody lengths. My guess would be it was so two standard units could be mounted and exchanged if need be. IT could also have been done to provide a passage for troubleshooting so a crewman wouldn't have to walk as far when diagnosing or fixing a problem.

[Anonymous]

Good answer thanks glennbob

[Anonymous]

Whereas the two engine rooms were set on the frame opposite each other, the space provided an easy access to to engine compartment, especially since a crew would check the water level and oil level in each engine. They wouldn't have to walk as far. Since there was more tahn enough space on that long frame, it was not a problem to dedicate the space. IIRC, the electrical boxes were in that space also, partly protected form the weather.

[Anonymous]

It's a passageway. More info:

http://www.answers.com/topic/emd-dda40x

http://www.steamlocomotive.com/centennials/

The "40" part of the designation comes from the fact that the locomotive utilized two EMD 16-645E3A engines - identical to the GP40 and SD40 of the same era. It wasn't two locomotives on one frame; it was two engines on one frame.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_645/

Regards,

Erich

[Anonymous]

Sorry, fingers aren't as quick as my mind, nor do they spell correctly. It should have said ....to the engine comp...

Last line should be from, not form.

Sorry

[nobullchitbids]

Yes, that is correct: Two prime movers on a single frame; the opening was for access and as a walk-through.