Thanks for posting those excellent photos. As can be seen by even the most inexperienced individual, the visibility really isn't that bad, even when compared to today's modern diesel units (at least one of today's modern diesel units operating forward, and NOT in reverse). Everyone must remember, with the large, modern main line steam locomotives, there is ALWAYS a Fireman on the left side, to assist the Engineer on the right side.
As a side note, the forward visibility on a UP 4-6-6-4 equipped with wind wings, i.e. smoke lifters, was MUCH MORE restricted!