So, ya seen these new EMDs?

[jpwisc]

I am still a fan of the Spartan cabs. But I do like the modern diesels. They have way more appeal to me than the dull lines of F Units. The new SD70ACe-T4s look like a beautiful bulldog to me. And the radiators remind me of tunnel motors. We live in an amazing era in motive power.

[basementcalling]

Of the "modern" EMD locomotives, my personal preference would be towards the SD70M with its clean lines, no radiator flares, and a nose and cab windows reminiscent of an F45.



DFF

Not seeing the validity of that comparison given the F45s had no walkway along the sides outside the body.

CBB855 has it right. Give me a thin waist. These new engines need to go on a diet.

[nkalanaga]

I suspect that part of the reason for going to fabricated trucks is that "single giant castings" don't work well with steerable axles, and by the time a cast frame has all of the other parts needed for such a truck added, it might as well be a fabricated truck.  Back when axles stayed in one alignment, a cast frame worked very well, and was more durable.

[Jbub]

I've been trying to figure out why these looked like some sort of scifi space shuttle to me. Then like a breath of fresh air opened from a can I realized that if you were to add wings to the radiator this things looks like the winnebago from space ball's.

[davefoxx]

Not seeing the validity of that comparison given the F45s had no walkway along the sides outside the body.

I said "nose."  A "nose" reminiscent of an F45.   

[nkalanaga]

The nose probably is descended form the F45.  The cowl units were the first common wide-nose "hood" diesels, so when companies decided they wanted the wider noses, it was easy to dust off the plans.

Not to mention that there are only so many practical ways to make a diesel nose, to match the common North American cabs, out of sheet metal.  It's basically a section of cab, with no windows, and the bottom cut off.  Same roof angles.

[Point353]

Would like to have eavesdropped on the meeting during which the location for the horn on these new EMDs was determined.

[jagged ben]

I find it odd that since ~1990 when wide cabs became standard on hood diesels, EMD has had at least 6 different nose designs while GE has had, essentially, one.  (Not counting minor variations, including the Canadian GE iteration.)

[C855B]

Would like to have eavesdropped on the meeting during which the location for the horn on these new EMDs was determined.

Now that you mention it, where is the horn? I can't see it in any of the photos. Or is it some manner of "Where's Waldo?"

That said, I would not be surprised if they finally made the jump to electronic horns. Placement issues aside with these too-tall units, pneumatic horns are a maintenance PITA, judging by the parade of marginally-functioning trumpets through our town.

(One option is Aussie-style, on the nose. US crews would be all over that, a-yup, a-yup.  )

[Point353]

Now that you mention it, where is the horn? I can't see it in any of the photos. Or is it some manner of "Where's Waldo?"

[Jbub]

You can barely see the top of the horn on the picture ed posted but it looks like a 4 chime right in front of the raised mid section. It's hard to see how many chimes are there even from a top down photo.

Edit
It has five trumpets after s closer look.

[Missaberoad]

There's also more trumpets facing forward on the roof near the exhaust... We have that style on our new rebuilt geeps and I f@#$ hate that rear horn... My ears hurt just seeing them...

[Point353]

[C855B]

Thanks. Well-hidden. Better appearance on the antenna cluster, too. The previous haphazard arrangements from multiple vendors was annoying to this radio shop veteran.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'm surprised the horns aren't over the radiator fans. That seems like a good way to keep them warm in winter.