Cabs evolved

Casey Akin Wrote:
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>







> Like most technology, the
> first renditions of steam locomotives were built
> for moving stuff, not comfort. Later modifications
> started to accommodate those that would control
> said engine...
>




> Comfort was a luxury that
> was not afforded.
>
If you go back to early days, no cabs at all. In fact there was a debate on the whole idea of cabs, would they make engine crew "soft", would they impair alertness, etc, etc. Cabs came on earlier in North America than in Britain or Europe, I guess we are softer on this side of the pond.
A lot of early cabs were barely wind screens too, almost no roof!
And then there were the 2 cab engines (camelbacks/mother hubbards) where the engineer got way more cover than the fireman. Perhaps that was to make up for broken side rods coming thru the main cab floor?

And the Beat Goes On... Various lines today have different positions on the amount of "Luxury" they put into cabs on diesels.
hank