Oregon Talgo Series 8 trainset heads for testing

In the “Passenger” column of the February 2013 issue of “Trains” magazine was an article concerning the movement of the new Talgo 8 trainset to Pueblo, Colorado, for testing. I am puzzled as to why six Amtrak cars were used to bracket the Talgo (3 ahead and 3 at the rear). Do any of the forum members know the reasoning and/or requirements for such a configuration?

Will.

I don’t know, but shouldn’t this be posted in the Passenger Forum?

Since the Wisconsin Built Talgos were new construction and newer version of Talgo which was untested in the US, the Amtrak cars, 3 on each side were FRA mandated braking idlers, and with the Talgo train set in the middle