Trains.com

High Hoods

642 views
6 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
High Hoods
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 2:41 PM
What was in the High Hoods (eg. an SD-40)? What was their purpose? Were both sides of the locomotive cut off from each other?

/n00b

Thanks in advance...
  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: roundhouse
  • 2,747 posts
Posted by Randy Stahl on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 3:19 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by WilRogJr

What was in the High Hoods (eg. an SD-40)? What was their purpose? Were both sides of the locomotive cut off from each other?

/n00b

Thanks in advance...
The high hood sd-40s had a toilet room with more headroom than a conventional SD. The purpose for a RR buying a high hood is a belief thet they are safer in a collision. As for the two sides being "cut off from each other" I'm not sure what you are asking.
Randy
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Chicago Subarbs
  • 638 posts
Posted by Glen Ellyn on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 5:21 PM
It is a good idea actually, The nose is extended sometimes so like what Randy Stahl said, it could keep the driver safer in case of a collissiun
Andrew Barchifowski, Glen Ellyn</font id="red">, LJ, #3300, Scott, FLODO.
  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Turner Junction
  • 3,076 posts
Posted by CopCarSS on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 5:31 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Randy Stahl
The high hood sd-40s had a toilet room with more headroom than a conventional SD. The purpose for a RR buying a high hood is a belief thet they are safer in a collision. As for the two sides being "cut off from each other" I'm not sure what you are asking.
Randy


Additionally, most of the railroads ordering high hoods used the long hood as the forward end (which was closer to being like a traditional steam locomotive). As Randy mentioned, it was believed to be safer. Eventually, roads came to the belief that better visibility was more important. Roads like the Norfolk and Western and the Southern held on for awhile, though.

Chris
Denver, CO

-Chris
West Chicago, IL
Christopher May Fine Art Photography

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams

  • Member since
    March 2001
  • From: SOUTHERN WASH-ATL MAIN
  • 187 posts
Posted by railroad65 on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 6:06 PM
SOUTHERN RAILWAY was the last holdout on high hoods. This lead to some real interesting locomotive models being built:
HIGH HOOD GP-38's, GP-38AC's, GP-38-2's, GP-49's, GP-40X's, GP-50's, SD-40-2's, U23B's, B23-7's, B30-7A's, B36-7's, U30C's and the U33C's. NW and SOU shared some other late model high hoods.

Railroad65
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,794 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 7:10 PM
Some of the older high hoods had steam generators in them which must have made life in the cab not fun.
Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: roundhouse
  • 2,747 posts
Posted by Randy Stahl on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 7:43 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by mudchicken

Some of the older high hoods had steam generators in them which must have made life in the cab not fun.
Meaning, life in the toilet !!!! At least changing number light bulbs was still easier.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy