Long hood

It is a common misconception that locomotives were run LHF to provide greater protection, although it may have been a secondary benefit.

Visibility became a deciding factor when more powerful engines required larger, visibility-obscuring radiator units.

Here is a list of each locomotive Southern ordered with a high short hood, and operated LHF.

(note: the SD50 and the GP59 are the first units ordered with the low, short hood, and pointed LHF) The Norfolk and Western Railway (NW) operated as Southern Railway did, with the long hood toward the front; the only difference between NW locomotives and Southern locomotives was the position of the bell.

Many early diesel locomotive builders designated the long hood end of their road switchers as the front.

Most modern locomotives produced in the USA feature wide-nose Canadian comfort cabs with desktop style controls, which bar the ability to operate the unit long hood forward because the desktop style prevents the engineer from turning in his or her chair to face the other end of the locomotive.