Options
Optional equipment that could be specified by ordering railroads included multiple unit controls, a steam generator, dynamic brakes, winterization equipment, an air signal line, and hump control, but actually almost all delivered SD24s were very similar in configuration.
The standard fuel tank offered a 1,200 US gallon capacity, while 2,400 or 3,000 US gallon tanks were optional. In practice, all SD24s ordered had the 3,000 gallon tank except for the last built, Kennecott Copper's single locomotive. In order to provide room for a larger fuel tank, the air reservoirs were relocated on the roof just behind the locomotive's cab. The tanks were known as "torpedo tubes" due to their long, thin design.
Winterization included a winterization hatch over one of the radiator fans, to direct warm air back into the engine compartment.
Either a low or high short hood could be ordered; in either case, the short hood was front by default. The Burlington, Southern and first EMD demonstrator had high short hoods; all others were low. Low short hoods from the factory had a pronounced downward slope of the top towards the nose, as did those of the contemporary GP20. Many of the high short hood units had their noses chopped later on, often as a consequence of rebuilding; these as a rule have flat-topped short hoods.
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