# Trains: Name for This Locomotive Style? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 13, 2013, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trains-name-for-this-locomotive-style/655604 "2013-04-13T14:51:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2013, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trains-name-for-this-locomotive-style/655604/1 "2013-04-13T14:51:25Z")
What is the name for [this style](http://www.sooline.org/publications/drawings/locomotives/GP15C/GP15C.jpg) locomotive? I know some are named for the “nose” style of the engine. Does this style have a name? It makes me think of a wheelhouse of a ship. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2013, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trains-name-for-this-locomotive-style/655604/2 "2013-04-13T16:04:03Z")
According to [this page](http://www.finnmoller.dk/rail-usa/loco-guide/), four-axle Diesel-electric locomotives are called ‘General Purpose’; and six-axle ones are called ‘Special Purpose’. [This page](http://locomotiveid.webs.com/emdlocomotives.htm) shows several GP (model) locomotives that look similar to the illustration in the OP. I would call the style a ‘General Purpose Diesel-Electric Locomotive’. (IANA trainspotter.) ---
**Author:** ![BorgHunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@BorgHunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BorgHunter)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2013, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trains-name-for-this-locomotive-style/655604/3 "2013-04-13T16:26:48Z")
That would be an example of a [hood unit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hood_unit). ---
**Author:** ![SeldomSeen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@SeldomSeen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeldomSeen)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2013, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trains-name-for-this-locomotive-style/655604/4 "2013-04-13T16:58:32Z")
As noted above, a hood unit, general purpose or GP model from Electro-motive referred to in the trade as a “geep”. This particular one looks like a GP-38 or GP-40. Incidentally, the GP designation is specific to locomotives manufactured by Electro-motive, formerly a division of General Motors, recently spun off as an independent. The other major U.S. manufacturer, General Electric designated most of their 4-axle models as the U-series; U-25, U-36, etc. and generally referred to as “U-boats”. Within the last 10 years or so both companies have completely revamped their model lines. A minor correction to **Johnny L.A.**'s post above; the 6-axle units from Electro-motive were referred to as “special duty” or SD units rather than “special purpose”. ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2013, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trains-name-for-this-locomotive-style/655604/5 "2013-04-13T17:09:32Z")
I know [a building](http://www.imtl.org/edifices/CN-Canadien-National.php) that’s shaped like one of those! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2013, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trains-name-for-this-locomotive-style/655604/6 "2013-04-13T17:26:12Z")
> [@SeldomSeen](#): > > A minor correction to **Johnny L.A.**'s post above; the 6-axle units from Electro-motive were referred to as “special duty” or SD units rather than “special purpose”. I stand corrected. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2013, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trains-name-for-this-locomotive-style/655604/7 "2013-04-15T13:58:58Z")
Loco’s come in 4 and 6 axle ? There’s so many types of arrangements. > **[AAR wheel arrangement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AAR_wheel_arrangement)** > > The AAR wheel arrangement system is a method of classifying locomotive (or unit) wheel arrangements that was developed by the Association of American Railroads. Essentially a simplification of the European UIC classification, it is widely used in North America to describe diesel and electric locomotives (including third-rail electric locomotives). It is not used for steam locomotives, which use the Whyte notation instead. > The AAR system counts axles instead of wheels. Letters refer to powered ax... > **[Category:Locomotives by wheel arrangement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Locomotives_by_wheel_arrangement)** > > Locomotives (particularly modern traction types, e.g. diesel, electric, gas, or petrol locomotives) can be divided according to their wheel arrangement using the UIC classification system. > See wheel arrangement, UIC classification, Whyte notation and AAR wheel arrangement. > > Sub-categories in this section include articles about different classes of locomotive with the same wheel configuration. Wheel numbered articles provide overall info for trains of that type. This category has the following 21... eg D D is 8 powered axles - Union Pacific 6366. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2013, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trains-name-for-this-locomotive-style/655604/8 "2013-04-15T14:46:03Z")
> [@Isilder](#): > > Loco’s come in 4 and 6 axle ? > > There’s so many types of arrangements. Very true…but, for purposes of discussing modern American diesel-electric locomotives, the vast majority are going to have two trucks, with either 2 axles per truck (4-axle, or B-B), or 3 axles per truck (6-axle, or C-C). ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2013, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trains-name-for-this-locomotive-style/655604/9 "2013-04-15T14:49:56Z")
> [@SeldomSeen](#): > > This particular one looks like a GP-38 or GP-40. According to the file name of the JPG in the OP, it’s a GP-15. ---
**Author:** ![BlakeTyner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@BlakeTyner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlakeTyner)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trains-name-for-this-locomotive-style/655604/10 "2013-04-15T15:29:01Z")
Yes, in the jargon you’d call that a “hood unit,” whereas the newer style would be known as “wide cab,” “safety cab,” or (less frequently since the 90’s, “Canadian cab”). The older, hood units tend to have better visibility to the front steps in order to see hand signals when performing switching operations, though the wide cabs try to do the same (General Electric locomotive noses have a distinctive “slant” downward, as [here](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RRfg_-FUVto/SFr83HmqyAI/AAAAAAAAABE/bA8bOM744Vc/s400/GE+ES44AC+6-18-08.jpg), whereas EMD locomotives cut ‘notches’ into the nose to aid visibility, as [here](http://www.b-n-ferrco.com/pictures/IMG_TI32.jpg)). Engineers generally like the older style better, as the control stand was to his left rather than in a ‘desktop’ configuration common in wide cab units today. The creature comforts in the modern era are better, of course, but for ease of operation I’ve almost universally heard engineers praise the older units. Also, hood units can be pretty easily operated in either direction–long hood forward or (what you usually see) short hood forward. The wide cabs don’t do long hood forward well at all. ---
**Author:** ![SirRay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@SirRay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirRay)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2013, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trains-name-for-this-locomotive-style/655604/11 "2013-04-15T17:50:20Z")
> [@BlakeTyner](#): > > Also, hood units can be pretty easily operated in either direction–long hood forward or (what you usually see) short hood forward. The wide cabs don’t do long hood forward well at all. Why would you say that? The long hood (normal rear) would be the same regardless of the short hood (normal front) configuration. Now, if you’re claiming rearward vision [on modern NA locomotives\*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ES44AC_nickel_plate.jpg) suffers due to the radiator wings, air filter cabinets, or other appurtenances, then I agree you have a point. Also note that over the past 3 decades, I’d say the vast majority of new locomotives produced for North American Class I railroads have been 6 axle units, generally wide cabs at that - new 4 axle power has been relegated to Passenger and niche markets (small lots), and much “new” 4 axle power (like Gensets) has been rebuilt existing 4 axle units (like GP7, GP9s and the like - now they’re getting up to the GP38s and GP40s), often just the engine and the body is new, the frames, trucks, and other equipment refurbished. This could be an issue down the road. \*NS RR heritage livery from a year or so ago - the real Nickel Plate (New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad ) was merged into the N&W decades ago. ---
**Author:** ![BlakeTyner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@BlakeTyner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlakeTyner)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2013, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trains-name-for-this-locomotive-style/655604/12 "2013-04-15T19:07:50Z")
Unless selected as an option by the railroad (and most traditionally haven’t) the wide cabs have the controls on a desktop right in front of the engineer, making it very awkward to manipulate the controls while looking down the long hood. Non-wide cabs allow the engineer to rotate his chair 90 degrees and the control stand is then in front of him, allowing him to operate the train and easily see down the long hood. This is why most of your local trains will be non-wide-cab. Extended operations in reverse are impractical with the newer units. Norfolk Southern used to run long hood forward for safety purposes, but stopped when the desktops came out, for this reason.