BNSF C44-9W 5119Pomona Heights WA Pomona Heights

Is it a pusher or lead locomotive ? I was under the impression that long hood drive is not permitted in US

@jmadhavadas it is a pusher. DPU unit.

@classick Thanks for the info

At one time, US diesel locos could be ordered with controls set up for short-hood or long-hood-leading operation, or even dual controls for either direction, but since only two railroads ever selected that configuration on a regular basis (NW and Southern), it was eventually dropped by the manufacturers as an option, due to the added production costs. Since 1995, when ditch lights were required (by the government) on lead units, the majority of locomotives built have such lights on only one end and can thus lead only in one direction. Certain special-use locos have ditch lights mounted on both ends for bi-directional operation, such as with main-line locals doing an out-and-back run without turning around. So indeed, the unit above is an unmanned DPU at the rear of this train.

@Maersk.146 Thanks for the detailed info