Reversing the orientation of the engine would have required arranging some sort of output from the main generator - perhaps using pully / belt drive arrangement. It might have also raised challenges plumbing in the cooling system. However, this would have placed the electrical equipment closer to the electrical panel, shortened the traction motor cables, and moved the exhaust stack farther from the cab.

A more modern design would, of course, have just driven the radiator fan and compressor by electric motors.