Which way is forward for a Goat?

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Daft question but -- I am just about to convert my USA Trains NW2 goat to DCC. In the real world which way do they consider forward - long bonnet forward or steps forward? it is built so the driver looks over the long bonnet suggesting that is the front but many of the video clips I have seen show them running with the steps forward just like a Class 20. Which is the norm?
Bill
 
Re:Which way is forward for a Goat?

The bonnet end is considered forward, hence the small "F" at the end of the running board. In practice, either end forward was the case. Although one would think that open road running with potential vehicle incursions at level crossings would have favored keeping the cab to the rear, I have seen pictures of such operation with two units coupled nose-to-nose, presumably to keep the cabs in the front when reversed at the end of the line.
 
Re:Which way is forward for a Goat?

You think you have got problems.

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Mine look the same:laugh
 
Re:Which way is forward for a Goat?

I was worrying about how this thread might develop, fortunately it kept on track!
 
Re:Which way is forward for a Goat?

I think the end with the eyes and horns is the front. The end that drops 'berries' everyplace is the back. But goats are kind of contrary critters, so they might disagree......

Since railroads did away with turntables, and wyes take up so much space, they often tend to run them whichever way they are facing when the train needs to go.
 
Re:Which way is forward for a Goat?

Zman said:
I was worrying about how this thread might develop, fortunately it kept on track!

We have three goats - butt I refrained from making any comments!

Mick
 
Re:Which way is forward for a Goat?

while not a hard and fast rule-if run as a pair-in the yards-window end first-coupled nose to nose-but not always-this is BN and UP practice here in Denver-im sure its for seeing brakemen and coupling cars

road units are typically reversed, with one cab facing front and one cab facing back -the ones in the middle are usually willy nilly-although the long coal units always seem to have the head end groups all in one direction and the pushers as well-sometimes pushers will have one unit rearward facing  

it is very common to see multiple units of all styles -even for very short trains-many industry sidings often have steep grades below the mainline,  and this is why multi units are used- ive seen 2-3 gp50s, used to move half a dozen lumber or scrap metal cars from local industry sidings  

more is better- 

and while no expert, ive never heard the term 'goat' used for this type of loco-'cow' yes-and that only when used in combination with a 'calf' which is a diesel motored non-cab unit-like a b unit -(a slug is a traction motor only unit-used for more tractive effort i guess) 

goat-only heard this in reference to very old much smaller steam units, typically confined to a small industry or work area
-ie shop goat,  

i could of course be in the dark
 
Re:Which way is forward for a Goat?

The correct front for US locos as LVT points out is the the end marked with an F.
This does'nt mean it has to run this way round.

Norfolk Western and Southern had long hood marked as front and you will still see NS running some long hood
forward.

As to Goats......

are'nt switchers refered to as goats?
Recently of course this has come to the fore with the Green Goats.

For anyone interested Green Goats are made by Railpower and are genset battery jobs.

There are also straight gensets with two/three gensets on board.
These turn on and off sets as and when extra power is needed.
 
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