Loco Question

[Anonymous]

Ok, being absolutely new to this hobby, I have what many will think of as a no brainer. It is:

Why is every other loco pointed backwards?

Whether model or real life, I see this. Why? Aerodynamics? Less confusing? I have yet to meet one person (no, I haven't gotten to many outings, shows, etc.) who could really answer this.

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

When a locomotive consist is being made up in the yard the hostlers will grab enough locomotives for the required horse power. As long as the first locomitive is facing the right direction it doesn't matter which way the other units are facing. They all could be facing front or rear or a combination of both.

Also some railroads have locomotives set up so that the long hood is the front of the locomotive, so it looks like it is going backwards, but this is rare wih wide cabs. You can determine which end is the front of a locomitive because there is a capital F painted on the frame.

[trolleyboy]

One other interesting tidbit is if you have a two locomotive consist in the real world. You will often see them pointing oposit of each other. This allows them to run around their train at the end of their run and when they head back from whence they came they will still have a lead loco pointed in the right direction.without the need of a wye or a turntable. Rob

[csxengineer98]

in the real world... locomotives are MUed in differnt directions acording to what the power buro says they want each locomotive faceing... as far as model railroading..i think its more of an issue of what looks cool
csx engineer

[AggroJones]

You guys are just talking about diseasels?

[Anonymous]

I like both "diseasels" and steam. Steam is a lot more interesting to watch but steam has its downside too. It used to be very difficult to find good steam engines in Nscale. Until 1996, when Kato released its Mikado, I had given up on Nscale steam. It is also expensive. I only have 5 steam engines(I have about 25-30 deisels)but plan to get at least two more in the next few months. Like on t he real thing, so I am told, steam is far more temperamental than deisels. Steam is finnicky. The side driving rods (I don't know the correct term for them) are prone to coming apart. I just had to return my new Berkshire for this very reason. I exchanged it for another just like it. According to Frank, our local walking railroad encyclopedia, the same thing happened on the real thing. He explained that this is why they quit making camel-back steam engines. When a driving rod would fail on one, it had a tendency to take out the cab with it. There are times when my tolleration for frustration is at its lowest. At times like this, I only run deisels. I can certainly understand why a person would choose steam exclusively. It is the most interesting. I wanted to present the other side. Some of us, like myself, weren't born when steam ruled the rails. We/I have fond memories of deisels, especially first generation deisels. Just had to add my two cents.

[espeefoamer]

I was born too late for steam,but I do have a few steamers. I have about 70 diesels,but only 4 steam engines. Naturally,3 of them are SP.The other is a PRR K4s.I also have 2 electrics.

[dinwitty]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AggroJones

You guys are just talking about diseasels?

heh

I think on some modern steam excursions they put Diesel MU controls in the steamer sometimes the trains were diesel assisted..incase of a steam loco failure, the ride could be finished by the diesel why the steamer was taken off. Just a foresight in running the excursion.

Your right about siderod failures, they did occur, why you need spare parts for your models.

[West Coast S]

Modern steam excursions also have diesel assit for dynamic braking or to fulfill insurance requirements.

[Anonymous]

So, there is actually a reason for one of the loco's being opposite of the lead. It's functional, rather than athsetic. Makes sense what you said, trolleyboy. Thanks for your help in getting me to understand why this was.

And yes, Aggro Jones, I was asking about diesels. Sorry to you steam diehards, I like the sleek, modern look of diesels.

[Anonymous]

i like the sleek look of streamlined steam, & as for siderod problems dinwitty they
were rare.

[Don Gibson]

The LEAD diesel was generally run short hood forward for best visiblily - make sense?
Diesel #2 and/or rear diesel's ran in reverse, to avoid turning.
After that reqirement was filled, it made little difference.


Some RR's preferred their long hood's forward.

[Jetrock]

On E and F unit diesels, the reason they were tied back-to-back might be access--older "covered wagon" diesels had train doors in the back, and facing them back-to-back (in an A-A or A-B-B-A type configuration) allowed the crew to run through the train to each engine.

[jrbernier]

Jetrock,

F & E's also have train doors on the 'front' - a few older E's did not have the nose train door(EA, E1, E2, E3, E6). I know by E7 production, the nose train door was standard. From personal experience, one does not really want to move between units while under speed!

Jim Bernier

[Anonymous]

The fog is clearing. Thanks guys.

So then it has mainly to do with a quick turn around at where ever the loco's and their consist end up, unless you have E & F units. Not really a power thing.

Thanks again for helping to clear the fog.