Direction of locomotives in consist

[Jackflash]

QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder

How do the trailing locomotives know which direction they are going? If they are pointing both directions, do the reversers go in a certain position?

Thanks, adrianspeeder

The two control wires, I think pins 8 and 9 in the 27 pin jumper cable, are crossed
in the cable, also they are crossed between the connector at the front of the
locomotive and the connector at the rear of the locomotive, if you draw this out
on paper you will see that if you have two locos facing the same direction
with the reverser foward the second unit will take its commands in the foward
direction, now reverse that second unit, because of the crossed wires in the
cable and at the rear of both locos the second unit will take its signals in the
reverse direction, remember, the two control wires cross at the rear of each
engine, and they cross again in the jumper cable, you could couple 10 locos
together fowards, backwards anyway you want and the locos will always know
which way to move, without any switch settings or input from the operator
except the reverser on the controlling unit. jackflash

[Jackflash]

QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder

How do the trailing locomotives know which direction they are going? If they are pointing both directions, do the reversers go in a certain position?

Thanks, adrianspeeder

The two control wires, I think pins 8 and 9 in the 27 pin jumper cable, are crossed
in the cable, also they are crossed between the connector at the front of the
locomotive and the connector at the rear of the locomotive, if you draw this out
on paper you will see that if you have two locos facing the same direction
with the reverser foward the second unit will take its commands in the foward
direction, now reverse that second unit, because of the crossed wires in the
cable and at the rear of both locos the second unit will take its signals in the
reverse direction, remember, the two control wires cross at the rear of each
engine, and they cross again in the jumper cable, you could couple 10 locos
together fowards, backwards anyway you want and the locos will always know
which way to move, without any switch settings or input from the operator
except the reverser on the controlling unit. jackflash

[wabash1]

The short hood forward is only a safty preferance for the crew being able to see trains or banners. there is no rule for which way the engine is pointed. i prefer running long hood out. the way the engine knows which way to go is it gets its signal from the unit in front of it. and in return it passes a signal to the unit behind it. disconect the jumper cable and it thinks it is sitting there all by its self.

Ed the switch you are talking about is for head light control only. if you want try putting the lead unit on single or itermidiate unit and then take off the only thing that wont work is the lights the lead unit will have lights on both ends but the rear unit wont light up.

[wabash1]

The short hood forward is only a safty preferance for the crew being able to see trains or banners. there is no rule for which way the engine is pointed. i prefer running long hood out. the way the engine knows which way to go is it gets its signal from the unit in front of it. and in return it passes a signal to the unit behind it. disconect the jumper cable and it thinks it is sitting there all by its self.

Ed the switch you are talking about is for head light control only. if you want try putting the lead unit on single or itermidiate unit and then take off the only thing that wont work is the lights the lead unit will have lights on both ends but the rear unit wont light up.

[edblysard]

Rear control panel has a selector switch, chose single unit, trailing unit controled from another unit connected at the long hood, trailing unit controled from another unit connected at the short hood, intermediate unit controled from either end. Reverser centered and removed.
Stay Frosty,
Edquote]Originally posted by adrianspeeder

How do the trailing locomotives know which direction they are going? If they are pointing both directions, do the reversers go in a certain position?

Thanks, adrianspeeder

[edblysard]

Rear control panel has a selector switch, chose single unit, trailing unit controled from another unit connected at the long hood, trailing unit controled from another unit connected at the short hood, intermediate unit controled from either end. Reverser centered and removed.
Stay Frosty,
Edquote]Originally posted by adrianspeeder

How do the trailing locomotives know which direction they are going? If they are pointing both directions, do the reversers go in a certain position?

Thanks, adrianspeeder