Question about Northeastern MUs...

[Blutorse4792]

It appears that many of the old electric MUs (MP54s, Washboards, Silverliners) only had pantographs on one end.
What was the reasoning behind this? I'm assuming they were still bidirectional.

 

[shaneturner12]

I'm going to guess it's something to do with the catenary wires on bends (if it's anything like the UK) or to prevent short-circuiting.

Shane

 

[whitepass]

They always ran two or more, maybe?

 

[magickmaker]

They always ran two or more, maybe?

This is largely the reason as I understand it. From what I've seen, typically the MU's that operated where they had a single pantograph, actually had one end (usually the one under the panto) designated as front. They could operate with either end though, but one end was still considered front. In any case, these units typically operated with a series of trailer cars sandwiched between two power cars. It seems that the companies reasoned that since they wouldn't be operating the cars in single unit that often, there wasn't a need for pantographs on either end of the car.