lead engine& helper engine opposite directions??

[brakemen]

hello:

I know theres a good reason for a lead engine and a helper engine pointing in opposite directions when hauling train cars but I have know idea.

here in my city we have a ns es44ac with a lead engine and a helper going in opposite directions carrying a long 50 coal cars long. can any one explain
this to me .

brakemen

 

[colwell27]

This is done so if the train needs to go back in the other direction and no place to turn around all they have to do is unhook- get in the other train pointing in the other direction and hook up to the other end of the train.

 

[cascaderailroad]

It all depends how hurried the engine terminal and set-up hoster is, as sometimes there is no wye or turntable, and sometimes they run 4 locos on the head end, all elephant style. Sometimes (rarely) the rear 2 helpers are running forward or backward that way too, if units are added, or if defective units are cut off.

 

[brakemen]

reply to the postings

hello: thanks for the replies you two; seems I just wasted space on this post

wow; whats funny is that I got my engines in my layout pointing is different directions like the real ones on the track in my city. I just did it because the real ones do.

I guess I did not put too much thought into this question. oh my gosh; I should have figured that one out.

brakemen

 

[mrreet]

It will also depend on the loco. A lot of the NS High hood's cab controls are long hood facing forward. So it would look backwards but it is actually going forward.

 

[ptrainman]

It all depends how hurried the engine terminal and set-up hoster is, as sometimes there is no wye or turntable, and sometimes they run 4 locos on the head end, all elephant style. Sometimes (rarely) the rear 2 helpers are running forward or backward that way too, if units are added, or if defective units are cut off.

They do that alot here. Our trains come from Roanoke and go to Hyco Power Plant, Mayo Power Plant and Clover Power Plant. At Hyco it does not matter how the units are facing because there is a loop track at Hyco, but at Mayo there is not. And it never fails when a train goes to Mayo the units are elephant style and boyh pinted in the wrong direction, so they have to go to Hyco and turn them which is about a 1 1/2 hour move. You would think by now they would have learned not to send them out that way. Clover also does not have a loop, but most of the time the units are right with one pionting one direction and one the other.


Paul