Doubleheader always referred to two (or more engines if tonnage required or
power needed to be moved to another terminal) engines coupled at the head end
of a train. Regardless of the number of engines coupled, only the brake valve
of the leading engine was allowed to be cut in, that is, the brake valve on the
lead engine handled all the braking requirements of the entire consist. The
lead engine must be used to start the train, if possible. If it won't start
the train the second engine may be used to help after the lead engine has
streched the slack as much as possible.
Pushers, though not a doubleheader, must shove against the train in an attempt
to start it after the signal to start has been received. If unable to get the
train moving the pusher Engr. will signal the head end with two long whistle
blasts. The lead Engr. will then carefully begin pulling on the train until
everything is moving.
The success of train handling with a pusher (no radios) depends heavily on the
pusher Engr. knowing the territory and, if possible, the train handling methods
of the lead Engr.
With the advent of MU connections on Diesel locomotives doubleheading became
the stuff from which "thrilling" Tales of the Rails were gathered.
Karl
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