I stopped by Coal City on my way back from Normal, IL today to see what was coming and going on the transcon…all I was able to see in the short time there was a very, very long double-stacker with (here’s the strange part) one GE unit up front and two GE’d pushing…very strange and the first time I’ve ever seen that…usually the other way around. Any ideas on why they did it that way this time?
Jim: Have noticed that same configuration out here ( between Wellington and Mulvane,Ks). a couple of times. Most of the Stackers through here seem to have four nits on the point and no DPU’s (of late). Seeing more and more Mixed moves, Stackers on the front, and a string of TOFC on the rear. Those COFC/TOFC trains seem to be going in Both directions. Westbound trains seems to be three on the point and one or two DPU’s Wellington is the Crew Change point around here. Funny, but the Bare Table moves seem to go equaly in Both directions(?). Usually with Two engines on the point.
If there are a lot of curves and grade changes, the two on the rear are used for braking, keeps the rear end from running in hard in curves which can do the reverse of a stringline derailment, it pops the cars off the rail.
Beyond that, simply because the two were on the rear when the train was picked up and they just left it that way.
Ed:
Some of the Unit Grain Train shuttles through here operate loaded with two units on the point and one in DPU, running loaded. When they come back empty the singl;e unit is on the point and the two are DPU.
Most of the terrain though here is relatively flat, but somewhat rolling as it progresses North and East (via Augusta and toward El Dorado, or via Wichita, and on to Topeka).
The part about slack action with the two in DPU makes sense, several times when waiting for a worm to pass at a crossing I’ve had the sense that one of the pair was DIT.