PC: Huge Trust Plate

[NH4142@xxxxxxxxx (John Wilson)]

  I bought a photo today of PC GP-7 5876 which clearly shows the very
large trust plate mounted at walkway height just ahead of the cab on the
firemans' (?) side (long hood is forward on this unit).
 Does anyone know why this unit had to have such a large and expensive
trust plate?
 John W.