NYC had all GP-7's and most GP-9's configured for long hood
forward. The first batch of PC GP-40's was set up with dual controls (to
operate in either direction) and the crews preferred long hood forward.
The PRR ran theirs long hood first as that was the way they
were set up to run so the engineer would be on the correct side to see
signals. I think the belief was they still wanted alot of engine in front of
the cab for safety reasons in case of collisions. Some times they ran them
short hod first. PC did the same thing.
Pat McKinney