I’m new at this and I was wondering why in a multiple loco set up there is always one loco facing backwards. Can the loco generate just as much power and speed in reverse as it does forward.
Diesel electric locomotives use a diesel engine to turn an alternator which generates electrical current to power electric motors on the trucks which turn the axles. Electric motors run just as well in reverse as they do running forwards so there is no difference in locomotive performance which ever way the unit is facing relative to the train’s direction. It is preferable to have the last locomotive in a group facing “backwards” so that the consist can operated in both directions without having to turn them around at the end of the run. In other words using a diesel electric driveline means that there are no clutches, gearing or other mechanical transmission components (though there is some gearing between the traction motors and the axles). Think of a scale model locomotive…