<VV> Re: Rear engined trains - (no Corvair)

[Dale Dewald]

Hello Dennis,

What you are actually observing is distributed power.  Because modern 
locomotives have become so powerful--typically 4000 to 6000 HP each--the 
limits have been reached with regard to coupler strength, management of 
slack and brake control (using 120 year old air brake technology). With 
modern computer and remote radio control, the mid-train or end train units 
can be operated to control slack and apply brakes to sections of the train 
for more efficient operation.  Think of it as two or more shorter trains 
running right behind each other that just happen to be coupled together, 
with the following trains operated by remote control from the lead unit.

Dale Dewald
Hancock, MI

At 21:30 5/24/07 -0400, Dennis FullerFuller wrote:

>I have noticed an interesting change in the trains which pass by my house. 
>where there used to be 6 or 7 engines pulling the train, they now have 3 
>pulling and 2 pushing. It seems that BNSF has discovered the advantages of 
>being rear-engined. Whats next? Air-cooled?
>