@wjstix posted:As has been touched on, schematics of the GP-7 / GP-9 show the short hood was where the steam boiler would go if the railroad ordered a GP for passenger service. The boiler required a high hood, with the stack for it on the roof. If the engine didn't have the boiler, the space wasn't all that useful, at least not compared to the advantage to crew vision created by lowering the hood on the short end.
Several railroads who bought passenger GP-7/9 engines ran them long hood forward (GN, NYC, Pennsy), perhaps to make the steam connections closer to the boiler...although Soo Line, that had a fair number of passenger hi-nose GPs, ran them short hood forward, so that probably is coincidental.
BTW, in the 1970's or '80's didn't Southern or N&W buy some diesels with a low short hood, but set up to run long-end first?
Yes, the control stand location was re-configured for better visibility for long hoof forward operation.
By the way, please note that there are no dashes within EMD locomotive model designations. Thus, it is GP7/GP9, and NOT "GP-7 / GP-9".
