Hot Water posted:Yardmaster posted:Seen a container train go by yesterday and had an engine up front, one in the middle and then the pusher at the end. What is the reasoning?
Far smoother train handling with DPUs spread throughout the train. Slack action and coupler stresses are greatly reduced. Such train make-us are generally not possible with unit coal trains, due to the "flood loading on the move" at the coal mines, and unloading operations at the power plants. However, for most all other long freight trains, motive power distributed through-out the train, all radio controlled by the Engineer up front, is the best way.
In the good old days, not too long ago, all 3 of these engines would have been up front.
That was prior to the use of DPU (Distributed Power Units) radio controlled locomotives.
Then I have seen engine up front and one in the middle or a pusher, but not all 3 like that split up.
Thanks
I always wondered why the DPUs were not used on coal trains.. Thanks HW!!
