Is there any rhyme or reason to the orientation of engines in a consist. Why run 2 engines tail to tail for instance. how do you arrange 3 or more engines ?
As long as there are MU connection on each end of a locomotive, they can be run in any order/orientation. Some railroads like to run at least the first 2 units pointed forward. In the case of a failure of the 1st locomotive, it can be set out and the second locomotive is pointed forward(better crew visability).
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Sometimes there is 'rhyme & reason' other times not.
Engines for a particular train may be needed for distribution at various points along the route of the train. Additionally a train may be picking up engines from the line of road to deliver to a shop for either repair or their required inspections. These trains are most likely 'mainline locals' that pick up and/or set off from multiple locations along the trains route.
On my carrier, bulk commodity trains, (coal, oil, ethanol, grain, ore, slabs etc.) are routinely operated with a back to back pair of locomotive from where the train is originated to destination and back to origin. When these trains are empty, they are prime canditates to steal power from when another train has engine trouble as they can normally complete their empty run with a single engine.
When you see trains with more than 4 units on my carrier, you can rest assured you are seeing a train that is ferrying power (either good or shopped) from or to the shop.
When it comes to assembling an engine consist at a shop area, unless there are specific instructions to have specific engine(s) facing specified directions - they way they are is they way they will be added to the engine consist.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
To add a little to this: when you have two locomotives coupled 'cabs-out' (or, as noted, 'tail to tail') it is easy to run the power around the train. It's as if you have one large double-cab locomotive, which can easily run in either direction without being turned with its control desk or stand facing in the correct direction.
I often see consists of three or more locomotives with the rear pair 'cabs out' and all 'forward' locomotives (in the direction of train movement) "elephant style" with cabs leading. This would provide the advantages of both methods for the consist as a whole.
BaltACDWhen you see trains with more than 4 units on my carrier, you can rest assured you are seeing a train that is ferrying power (either good or shopped) from or to the shop.
So I guess that would apply to the eight (8!) units I saw at the head end of a westbound through Utica yesterday....
I saw them headed for me and as they rounded the curve approaching the station my reaction was "holy cow!"
I'd imagine the move was probably partly due to the snow in Buffalo and the catch-up that ensued.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
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