The Genesis P40's and P42's were designed for a continuous one million pound buff load, and I believe that "traditional" passenger cars were designed for 800k as well. THE major issue with all of this European equipment is that, in order to be lighter and more energy efficient, it is designed for buff loads around 650k or less (from my memory). The concern that GE had with the Genesis cab and carbody strength was that these locomotives would be operating on freight railroads. Freight engines, all of which have been tested extensively for crew protection in the event of a collision, WILL handle a 1M lb buff load without significant deformation. In order to certify the Genesis monocoque design at 1M lb, one of the first ten carbodies which came from Krupp in Germany were actually lab tested to a one million lb buff load, and it passed.
There have been several unplanned "tests" of the Genesis. I recall one where a Metro-North Genesis Dual-Mode with a train hit a flatbed truck carrying large hay bales, at 97 mph. (A crew of two women were in the truck.) The engine hit the truck so hard it split the trailer in two, and one of the large hay bales rolled and partially demolished a nearby house. The Genesis and train stayed on the rails, and the crew was checked for injuries. The engineer had a bruise on his arm.....
GE also has done extensive work to prevent entrance of flammable liquids into the cab in the event of a collision with a tanker truck at a grade crossing. This has resulted in the use of double doors at the nose entrance on GE AC4400's, etc, more strength around the window areas so a windshield does not blow in, and no access to the number board lights from inside the cab, in addition to other things, such as smaller side windows to keep the crew safe inside, and other things "outside". I believe that the FRA has now mandated a lot of this, but GE took the lead before it was required. In another accident, a GE P32 "pepsi can" hit a tanker at a CA grade crossing, and the crew pulled the entire train through several thousand gallons of flaming gasoline to safety.
It pays to "do your homework".....
