On most freight trains the last locomotive in the consist usually faces in the opposite direction of travel so the locomotives don’t have to be turned if they need to go on a train in the opposite direction. On most of the AMTRAK trains I have seen with two or more engines, the locomotives always seem to be facing forward. Am I just imagining this or is there a reason AMTRAK would do this?
Bruce LA
Should the lead locomotive have to be removed, perhaps after a grade crossing accident or mechanical failure, if the second locomotive is facing forward the train can still continue on its way. With less horsepower the speed might be a bit slower up grades but at least it is progressing.
John
More likely the lead loco will quit being able to be the leader. Cab signal failure, air brake failure, cab display failure, etc. If you have them “elephant style”, you can just swap the lead loco for the trail and away you go!
My understanding is that most Amtrak LD trains are wye’d or looped at the turn-around, so there is no need for back-to-back locos like in freights.
The picture at the top of this page has the trailing unit facing backward.
Good catch! A couple of years ago I asked the Trains staff what train is shown on the masthead for this page. I was told it is the Spokane to Seattle section of the Empire Builder.
Maybe it is time to get a new picture.
You probably are correct. However, the Texas Eagle is not wye’d or looped in San Antonio. The train from Chicago pulls into the station nose first. In the morning it backs out of the station for about a mile or so before heading north on the former MoPac line.
the train at the top of this page is in fact the Portland Section of the Empire Builder, as you can clearly see that the Lounge Car is the one immediately behind the locos!
Which move effectively Wye’s the train.
The EB California Zephyr last Friday…
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uDW4C3-WxcE/Ui2aixrcKHI/AAAAAAAAUpg/DAAio52MRHU/s1600/101_4126.JPG
back to back!
Amtrak’s Vermonter gets a P42 on each end north of New Haven most days, to allow for the switchback move at Palmer MA. (some days an ex-metroliner cab car leads between Palmer and New Haven).
This double-endedness should go away in a year or so when the ex-B&M Conn River line rebuild is finished. There is a Wye on the New England Central in St. Albans VT, used on the days the cab cars run.