Winterization hatch location

All of the winterization hatches on my prototype's locos (Western Pacific) went over the front radiator fan, and the screen end of the hatch was over the fan.

Thanks for the info

Thanks for the info. I searched google for about an hour last night and found that C&NW Gp18s had them at the rear. I then found a roof top pic of a LV Gp18 low nose and as you say the screen is directly over the fan.

wonder why some RR put them at the forward fan and others at the rear fan??

Thanks again

Trent

When both fans are over the same radiator, it makes no diff.

The idea is to restrict cold air flow over the radiator to get the diesel engine up to temp and keep it there.  It should make no difference whether the resticted airflow is to the front or back, and they probably have a set of shutters that will close or open as needed to further restrict the airflow when the temp is really cold outside.  It also wouldn't surprise me to see the hatches reversed on some of the locomotives in the same company just because a mechanic might reverse the hatch and not realise it until he had it all back together.

Hatches

Um, no Russ. The hatch only covers the front radiator fan; it doesn't cover multiple fans.

The opening is directly over the fan, so that in warm weather it operates normally. AFAIK it can be closed to prevent as much heat loss in cold weather.

There's only one possible orientation for the hatch to be installed - it only covers the front radiator fan (since the rear fan is right at the rear of the locomotive there's no room for the hatch to be installed there), and the opening must be over the fan.

Here's a good example from an overhead shot I took of a CP GP38-2; any locomotive with a winterization hatch will have a similar arrangement, regardless of model.

Here it is

Well here is the end result. these are Proto 2000 C&NW non Dynamic GP18's with Digitrax DH125 decoders, roof top amber LED beacons , yelglow LED headlights and a Winter hatch.

Thanks for the help

Trent