Another active thread on this forum about UP’s GTELs and U50’s led me to wonder about the “GE 50 series” unusual bus-like cab configuration.
Was this meant to be a quantum leap forward in cab design or was it used due to the fact that the locomotive’s dual engine/alternators took up so much frame space that there was no room for a conventional Universal series cab?
I imagine UP and ESPEE crews didn’t love the cabs as they appear to be far more vulnerable to serious damage in a grade crossing vehicle collision. I also think the lack of the “front porch” type pilot typical of North American roadswitchers was probably not well regarded by crews.
They do seem to foreshadow GE’s crew quarter cabs which were offered a few years later but only purchased by Seaboard Coast line (though I note they had “porches”:
http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?locomotive=GE%20BQ23-7
http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?locomotive=GE%20U50C