Why do trains with multiple engines usually have the engines set up in a tail to tiail and nose to nose order when pulling freight?
The general reason is so that the locomotive can be operated in either direction “front end first”. That is the easiest and safest method. Since there is only three choices, and you have named two of them, the other is “elephant style” - all units facing forward.
Other than the rear unit be facing backward and the lead unit facing frontwards, the remaining units of the locomotive can face any direction.
thats how the power buro wanted them
Sounds good. I figured that since the wheels are driven by an electric motor, the direction wouldn’t matter, but was wondering why this was the norm.
A lot of the time it also just happeneds to be whatever direction the loco is pointed in is the way it ends up traveling.
Main concern is that the front loco is facing forward, then after that it doesn’t really matter.
Ideally (but not always the case) if you have loco’s in groups of two it’s always better that they be facing fronts away from one another; when they are asses together they can simply be detached from the train on the end of the line and they are ready to run the other direction, all you have to do is switch from one cab to the other.
Norfolk Southern is good for using the engine in whichever direction it’s facing. Of course most of the older engine NS has from Southern and N&W where ment to run long hood forward (I was told it was a safety driven concept).
Yeah baby,
I couldn’t have said it better myself !!![:D]