KCS series 6600 (SD40-3) extended cab roof?

[samfp1943]

While looking at some photo's of various KCS RR power, I noticed a modification, that I had not seen before. Apparently, on several of the 6600's numbered series of SD38-2's; the cab roof behind the fireman's side (left side only(?).

  The cab roof line is apparently extended along the left side walk way, approximately doubling the length of the cab roof line on that side only. What is the purpose of an extention?  Is there a particular panel of the locomotive's equipment that would require  the extra protection from rain?  Lots of rain down in Louisiana and East and South Texas (sometimes there along the Gulf Coast).

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=875351  link to # 6605 photos

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=146444  another view of #6605

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=126925    #6611

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=127498   #6602

I had never noticed this addition to any diesel, and thought it was interesting. Obviously, there must be a reason for that addition, that  KCS RR has gone to the expense to add it.   If it is such a good and useful modification, maybe it would be suitable to modify other SD38-2 with it?

Certainly, the modeler's in the groupe could add such a mod to their models and have a real protypical modified unit(?)

 

 

[creepycrank]

My first thought was that it would be the shield the air intake but they would have to do both sides.

[beaulieu]

Snow shield for the air intake. It was equipped with one on each side. Engineer's side was removed after too many crewman hit their heads. No reason to remove the one on the other side.

 

[samfp1943]

 

As previously, I had  mentioned, I sort of thought it was a shield intended to protect a compartment from rain. I would have never guessed that snow would be the item shielded from.

Apparently, these engines have a history other than at KCS ?  Anyone have an idea where they might have acquired the snow shielding?

[edbenton]

Did a Quick RRpicture search 6605 is Ex-CN so that would explain the Intake shield.  I am betting EX-BC rail since it has Dynamics already on her.  Most old CN SD-40-2's do not have them from the factory and adding them to a loco is a huge cost. 

[beaulieu]

edbenton

Did a Quick RRpicture search 6605 is Ex-CN so that would explain the Intake shield.  I am betting EX-BC rail since it has Dynamics already on her.  Most old CN SD-40-2's do not have them from the factory and adding them to a loco is a huge cost. 

Nope, built new for CN itself as plain SD40 5085 with snow shields, but without dynamic braking. About one dozen of CN's SD40s were equipped with dynamic braking for unit coal train service, however this wasn't one of them.