Double-heading
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In railroad terminology, double-heading or double heading indicates the use of two locomotives at the front of a train, each operated individually by its own crew. The practice of triple-heading involves the use of three locomotives.
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[edit] Double-heading and multiple-working
Double-heading is most common in relation to steam locomotives, but is also practised with diesel locomotives. However, it is not strictly the same practice as two or more diesel or electric locomotives working 'in multiple' (or 'multiple-working'), where both (or all) locomotives are controlled by a single driver in the cab of the leading locomotive.
[edit] Advantages of double-heading
Double-heading is practised for a number of reasons:
- The most common reason is the need for additional motive power when a single locomotive is unable to haul the train, maybe due to uphill grades, or excessive train weight, or a combination of the two.
- Double-heading is also used on passenger trains when one locomotive could suffice but would not be fast enough to maintain the schedule.
- More rarely, certain companies have used double-heading to guarantee a service when they have been aware of the poor quality of their locomotives, on the understanding that if one engine failed in service, the other would suffice to get the train to its destination.
- Double-heading is a useful practice on single lines even in the absence of a need for more power, as to double-head a train saves making a separate path for a spare engine; it can be repositioned using the traffic path occupied by the service train.
- As double-heading has become increasingly uncommon railway companies may advertise specially double-headed services as an attraction to enthusiasts; this occurs regularly but infrequently on the British mainline, whilst the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway in England advertises an annual day when all of its passenger trains are double-headed all day, both steam and diesel.
- Double heading is used on all trains hauling nuclear material in the UK (for example waste carrying trains to Sellafield, Cumbria) since for safety and security reasons these trains cannot be allowed to be left standing after a breakdown.
[edit] Dis-advantages of double-heading
Double-heading requires careful cooperation between the engine crews, and is a skilled technique, otherwise one locomotive's wheels could slip, which could stall the train or even cause a derailment.
The risks of double heading as well as its costs (fuel and maintenance costs for the engines, wages for their crews) have led railroads to seek alternative solutions. Electrification has been used in many cases. The Milwaukee Road was able to switch from triple-headed steam locomotives to a single electric locomotive. The costs of running extra steam locomotives were eliminated, and average train speeds increased because it was no longer necessary to attach and detach the locomotives. In Britain, the Midland Railway used to use double heading often, because it built only small, light locomotives, which were often not powerful enough to haul the trains alone, but when it was absorbed into the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, this practice was stopped because it was uneconomical, and more powerful locomotives were built.
[edit] Special terminology employed
When a train formation includes two locomotives double-heading the service, they are commonly distinguished by the terms Pilot engine for the leading locomotive, and Train engine for the second locomotive. This should not be confused with the totally different procedure of adding a Banking engine to the rear of a train to assist up a hill or away from a heavy start.
