Why was the hood so squat as compared to the frame? And Why was the frame so high? Heres pics of the last FM Trainmaster CP 8905.
My guess is that the actual FRAME may not be higher than usual: the walkway is raised above the frame level. I recall reading somewhere that this was done with a view to safety (or a particular interpretation of the FRA's (? FRA? When Trainmaster wa designed? Maybe some earlier regulatory agency like the ICC?)safety regulations: it eliminates steps on the external walkways of the unit. Note that the cab cloor of other makes of hood unit is above the walkway, so there is a step: on the Trainmaster the cab door is at walkway level. ... I think, if I were an engineman who had to go outside the cab at night in freezing rain to go back and re-set something on the third unit of the consist, I might appreciate this feature.
At which point the "squat" appearance of the food is partially explained: there just isn't as much height of hood aboe the walkway as on other units. Part: the FM hood is also, I think, wider than some, and I'm not sure why that is. I know the FM prime mover is tall: is it also wide?