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Right you are J. Some of the older units on NS are considered long-end lead. All of the NS SD40-2's from N&W and Southern heritage are set up that way. Additionally, Southern preferred high short ends right up to the 1982 merger and I'm sure many of the former Southern engineers still do. On the N&W, I think it was the second order of SD40-2's that optioned for the low short end, but were still set up to be long-end lead. The logic of the Motive Power Department was that it permitted the units to be bi-directional with only one control stand. So if the unit was operating short end lead, the engineer was on the left side, but could see signals, signs, etc over the short end. Additionally, the control stand was set parallel to the engineers seat to accomodate short end lead and not cause the engineer to sit in an awkward position. As for those who are not in railroad service, The quickest was to tell what is the front is to notice the "F" stenciled or painted on one end or the other. Obviously, "F" stands for Front. In the last 5 years or so, new NS locomotives are set up for short-end lead with low noses. Evolution must go on!!!! Thank you for your input! gdc
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