RobertMacy wrote:

Although handy to walk along the tracks, I quickly learned to walk along
the OUTSIDE of the tracks! as in yeccchhh!!!

If you look at the typical power unit (locomotive), theres the long hood
where the diesel-electric generator and resistor bank for dynamic braking
live, and the short hood in front of the cab. The short hood contains two
things; a major connection panel for the control circuitry and the crapper.
They may be better now, but the latter used to be a straight drop. It wasn't
a real pleasant place to have to work. In fact, being an electrician working
on old power units wasn't too pleasant in general. Changing traction motors
was a real ball.