stripes on the front of locomotives

[wisandsouthernkid]

why do alot of railroads on thier locomotives have stripes pointed in an arrow up or down like the one shown below does it have to do with a safety thing

[tomikawaTT]

Can't say speifically about that scheme, but, in general, the chevron striping was applied to make dark-colored locomotives more visible.

It wasn't only a diesel thing.  In the mid-1960s I photographed a Japan National Railways C12 class 2-6-2T that had white chevrons painted on both ends.  Sure looked funny (and somewhat singed) on the smokebox door.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[Awesome!]

Rio Grande and some of the Southern Pacific had their own front arrow painted in the front of the cabs.

[WSOR 3801]

It also looks a little like old MILW chevron switchstands, at least on the WSOR.  It also gives modelers fits, especially if no good decals are made for the scheme.

[Amtrak77]

The underground reason for stripes on the front of locomoitves because some animals can't see in color and people react quicker when they see "strips of white" coming at them fast!!!!

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Chevrons and zebra stripes have their own appeal.  My personal favorites are Pacific Harbor Line (borrowed from ATSF) and the original NKP road switcher colors.  On the other hand, zebra stripes have no business being applied to the nose of an E or F unit, consider CP and at least one experimental C&O black-and-white F unit.

[Pathfinder]

...  On the other hand, zebra stripes have no business being applied to the nose of an E or F unit, consider CP ....

Looks good to me