If a local freight was doubled headed and switching was done I assume only one of the locos was used. Is that correct ?
Not likely.
Both would be used simply because that would be needless uncoupling and coupling which would eat into the locals limited work window allotted by a DS between superior trains-this doesn’t include the required clearance time before a superior train and travel time to the next siding…
But in the steam era, how often were locals double-headed? (The only example I can think of were the ancient 2-6-0s on the Wabash’s Meredosia branch.) It seems to me that double heading was ususally only used in helper situations, or for longer runs where there was limited switching.
I was thinking that it would be awkward for two engine crews to co-ordinate the back and forth moves while switching. I have a branch line that is served by Bachmans 2-6-0’s and sometimes does require double heading to make the grade. Thank you for the replies. Dan