The long hood of a locomotive houses the diesel engine, radiators, generators, and exhaust. It is typically faced rearward for crew comfort and better visibility, but can be faced forward for easier access to train cars or in case of a headlight malfunction.
The long hood of a locomotive is actually the rear of the machine. The diesel engine is located under the long hood, as are the radiators, generators and exhaust. Many doors line either side of the long hood and provide access to the engine and other critical locomotive components. Typically, when used as a single power unit on a train, the long hood will face rearward; however, the locomotive can be coupled to the train and operated with this long end pointing forward. Often when teaming up, the locomotives are attached to each other with the long cowlings together to provide easy shared access to both engines.
The locomotives are often run with the long hood facing rearward to allow a better view of the train crew. Another reason the locomotive is operated with the long hood at the rear is for the comfort of the crew. The diesel engine and exhaust are under the longer hood, and heat from the engine, as well as noise and smoke, would infiltrate the locomotive cab, making it unpleasant for the crew to operate the train during any period of time in that setting. When a train is seen running this way, it is often due to the inability to turn the locomotive, and is usually found on a small work train.
Small yard or switch engines are sometimes operated with the long hood forward to assist the crew in hitching and unhitching many cars in one shift. By eliminating the need for a switchgear to walk the length of the locomotive both to and from each car’s coupling, a great deal of time and energy can be saved. Positioning the engine cab closer to the working end of the locomotive allows the crew member to get on and off much closer to the work area. This also places the engineer closer to the crew member who couples and uncouples the train cars to the power unit.
Occasionally a locomotive is operated with its long hood forward for a safety reason. If the locomotive’s headlight goes out on the short hood side, it can be operated on the long side first to use the headlight on the long side. This saves valuable time when stopping the train for repairs. The motors can be easily changed on any straight track so that the train can continue on its way with an operating headlight. Once back in the yard, the headlight can be fixed to the short side and the locomotive can resume operation in the traditional position.
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