No "F" on Budd RDC units

[BobLI]

I was reading an article and it stated that there was no F on the RDC units. I know other engines or MU units have an F for front.
Is that statement true about no F on them? Wouldnt that be a safety hazard not knowing which end is considered the front?

[MEC407]

I would think that they'd at least have to have an "A" end and a "B" end if they didn't have an "F".

Here are two pictures I found of RDCs that have "F"s:

http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPictur ... id=1456384

http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPictur ... id=1751877

[GP40 6694]

Even if they are mechanically symmetrical, wouldn't the FRA require everything to have a labeled front?

[DutchRailnut]

There certainly was a F on a RDC its a FRA requirment, the F end on RDC is B end or Hand brake end.
the long end (as hump is off center).
for more images see:
http://www.blwnscale.com/blwphotos/ka-rdc-alaska2.jpg

and
http://www.bcoolidge.com/Amtrak_76-80_P ... n_3_79.jpg

[BobLI]

Thanks for the replies. I was reading an article in a Model Railroad trade press about a large scale model of the RDC and it was stated there was no F on the prototype RDC's.

[DutchRailnut]

RDC's and MU cars are locomotives under FRA rules and have been for decades, the following rule applies.

TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION

PART 229_RAILROAD LOCOMOTIVE SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents

Subpart A_General

Sec. 229.11 Locomotive identification.

(a) The letter ``F'' shall be legibly shown on each side of every
locomotive near the end which for identification purposes will be known
as the front end.
(b) The locomotive number shall be displayed in clearly legible
numbers on each side of each locomotive.