Originally, the 5775 changed to the 5913. In the end, it changed to the 7513. This is a GP-7. The bell at it's present location was done in the early 60's. It came from the factory under the rear steps but was changed because of dirt.
Are all of these Conrail GP7s set up to run long hood forward? GP9s, too? Thanks. I presume they operate as they were from the prior owner and were not changed by Conrail.
Actually this is a GP-9 and many in this class were upgraded to GP-10. This is originally a PRR engine to PC to CR Nick
Yes, it is. Many of these were set up to run long hood forward. This one has a black "F" on the long hood frame. The horn, in some cases was between the radiator fans and the dynamic brake fans. It seems most, if not all, of the GP7s and GP9s were set up to run long hood forward. I was surprised at that; I thought it was a Norfolk and Western - Southern RR thing.
The Reading had 44 GP-7s (37 freight/7 passenger) which were set up for long hood forward ops. This was designated by a "1" (forward) or a "2" (rear). This number was on loco frame near each step. These engines also were equipped with dual control stands to allow the engineer to be on the proper side of the loco based on direction of travel to view signals etc. Was never in a PRR cab to know whether they were built the same way but I saw a lot of GP-9s run long hood forward many years ago. Nick
It was a lot more common than that with first-gen diesels. The distinction of N&W and SOU is that they kept it up later.
