Shiny and mighty, the first of ALC-42 series pulls the eastbound Empire Builder seconds after departing Leavenworth station.
I’m surprised even this brand new loco is unidirectional. Seems inconvenient as it involves turnaround operations. Is there some regulation preventing usage of bidirectional locos (like “train must have thru passage from cab to rear”), or is it just a long lasting tradition?
@YuriZhuck - Tradition, most likely. Double-ended locos are not common in the US, except for electrics on the Northeast Corridor. Even the new Acela locos are uni-directional, however.
I’m surprised even this brand new loco is unidirectional. Seems inconvenient as it involves turnaround operations. Is there some regulation preventing usage of bidirectional locos (like “train must have thru passage from cab to rear”), or is it just a long lasting tradition?