After seeing this thread, I e-mailed my cousin who is a master modeler and C&NW fan. Much of his answer I believe has been covered, but here it is:
>From January through May 1973 CNW converted 11 ex-Union Pacific E9B's to
"Crandall Cab" units at Oelwein shops for Chicago suburban service. The
program included the installation of auxiliary engines for head-end power in
the former steam generator compartment at he rear of the unit. (the exhaust
pipe and muffler are visible in the illustration) The "Crandall Cab" is
named for its designer, CNW Assistant Superintendent of Motive Power
M.H.Crandall, who died of a heart attack while trying to restart a suburban
locomotive during a blizzard in Jan. 1979. Locomotive #502 was name in his
honor.
He could start with an A unit, or a B unit, add a GP7 or GP9 cab roof, the
nose would have to be made out of sheet styrene. He would need to get more
of a profile shot to see how the new cab is tied in to the long hood.
I can check around to see if I can find a profile pictures if he is
interested.
Al
I would love to see a picture when you get it finished! Al has written several articles related to C&NW. About a year ago he covered a modification of a diesel to carry more fuel (MR) and his C&NW layout was featured in RMC.