RS-1/RS-2, my mistake, even the Stewart box states RS-1. My Atlas RS-3 did not indicate a front or rear. Although the circuit board mounted to motor did have a erar on it. I went to the NPRHA website and looked through Joe Caron's photos. None of the photos I saw, where close enough to make out a F on either end. Since the only reason I even care about this is to orient the engineer so he's facing the right way. I answered my own question by having the engineer and fireman facing in opposite directions. This way, if long hood forward, the engineer is facing forward and the fireman is looking back over his train. Short hood forward, same thing. If I put an F on the cat walk, it will be short hood forward.
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
The NP never had RS-2 engines, They did have RS-1 engines and those were delivered 'long hood' forward. The Alco RS-3 & RS-11 engines ran 'short hood' forward. The EMD GP7/9/18's were set up short hood forward.
Generally, the railroad decided which end was forward and the builder carried out those order(just like paint schemes).
The MILW got RS-1 & RSC-2 engines with the long hood desinated as the front, and then recieved RS-3 & RSD-5 engines set up just the opposite. The SD7/9's and GP9's were set up for short hood forward operation.
The GN ordered just about everything with the long hood forward(including GP20's), until the GP30 order and then went to short hood forward.
The C&NW got their Alco's set up long hood forward, and their EMD GP's and SD's set up for short hood forward.
One needs to look at prototype photos to verify where that little 'F' is located on the frame!
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I've got a Proto RSC-3, painted for the Milwaukee. There is a small F on the front hood, which is the long one.
The RSC-3 is an RS-3 which has 6 axles. It was designed for use on secondary lines to spread the weight of the engine better.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
From the Fallen Flags site. The "F" on the sill is the indicator
NP 859 in 1968, short hood front
NP 861 in 1969, short hood front
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
SP&S and GN ran their Alco RS units Long hood forward, I think the NP ran it's units short hood forward
I see a small F along the sill of the unit, it's coupled to an SP&S Alco Cab must be early BN.
SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide
Gary DuPrey
N scale model railroader
There are no absolutes, but 'most' first gen diesels ran long-hood forward. After the second gen units came along, many switched to short hood forward, except some holdouts like Southern. Along with new units came rebuilds, this is when the chop nose first gen units came along and ran short hood forward. Sometimes with a different long hood as they were repowered as well, like RS-3's with EMD long hoods and prime movers.
Again, no absolutes - check with your specific protoype and era as each railroad did things their own way, and that may have changed over the years.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks retsignalmtr!
Depends on the Railroad. Most probably ran long hood forward. Some Railroads chopped the short hood for better forward visibility.
On Alco RS-2s, at least with the Northern Pacific, the long hood was forward. Is it the same with the RS-3?