Hi there, being the Soo fan that I am, I am curious to know the reason behind the high noses, and what was in 'em. Also Did the Southern's GP38-2 have large plows on either end,

thanks

-- Joe B-D (joe@sooline.demon.co.uk), July 17, 2000

Answers

Joe, The high noses were a holdover from the earlier production GP's and SD's. What I've been told by quite a few SR folks was Southern liked the added protection of the extra height nose. Most of SR's modern units were set up to run long hood forward normally, but the controls were set so as the engineer could comfortably operate in either direction. The GP-30's, 35's and SD-24's and 35's were set up for short hood forward operation, hence the reference to added protection. Some, but not all GP-38-2's received the plow treatment. Beginning with the batch of GP-38-2's delivered in 1975 they became standard equipment on both ends of the unit. This started with unit number 5163. According to the caption in Withers' Diesels of the Southern Railway, plows were added to all units delivered after 1975 because of an accident in Georgia where a GP-38 actually rode up and over a vehicle at a grade crossing.

-- Chris Howard (chrreg@tri-comp.net), July 18, 2000.

Being an exSouthern/Norfolk southern brakeman & conductor, from the Old School we always thought that the reason was to keep brakeman off the "FOOTBOARDS" Making couplings from the footboard was the way it was done prior to Rule #, I would have to look it up.

-- Carroll D Suther/deerelybeloved.com (p080@conninc.com), August 23, 2001.