07-18-2010, 06:41 PM
OK, how about a loco used to load cuts of hoppers, as railohio speculated. The control cab was reduced in size to fit under the loading bin/hopper, as hinted by the height of the coal in the loads behind it. The stepwell "cab" is to protect the trainman from spillage from over-full hoppers, and the loader. By the looks of the paint, the upper light green and lettering is fresh; the lower dark portion shows some wear and dirt. I especially admire, also, the walkway/cab/access ladder on the near side (also FRESH yellow paint). Bob C.
James Thurber - "It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers."