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A control stand is a diesel-electric locomotive subsystem which integrates engine functional controls and brake functional controls, whereby all functional controls are "at hand" (generally, within the operational radius of the locomotive engineer's left forearm from his customary seating position, facing forward at all times).
Normally, a control stand is oriented in the direction labeled "F" (front of the locomotive). Although front is usually the "short hood," a seldom-used alternate designates the "long hood" as front. Where operations in both directions are required, two control stands ("dual control stands") may be provided.
The early control stands were designed to Association of American Railroads (AAR) standards. The traditional AAR control stand is still preferred by some railroads. Current control stands may employ multiple displays and electronic actuation of operational controls from an all-electronic desktop.