Steam & Excursion > Double headers with steam, diesels and turbines?

Hello all, so I was watching some old Sherman Hill footage from the late 50's and in a few scenes of double headed Big Boys, Challengers and even Big Boys behind Big Blow's a thought occurred to me: how did the crews synchronize both throttle and braking in the days before m.u. connections and portable 2-way radio? Was this the same practice as with helpers on other lines around the country?

Posted from iPhone

Whistle signals
JC

Posted from Android

The most important aspect of operating reared helpers (pushers) in the "old days before radios" was the engine crews complete familiarity with their territory. Generally, when the headend whistled off, the rear helper started to push. The Engineer on the reared can tell when the brakes are starting to release simply by watching his brake pipe air gauge.

On double headers, the Engineer on the lead locomotive controls train speed and train brakes, while the second or third locomotive Engineer's simply push/pull for all they are worth, all the while knowing the territory they are working over. It actually isn't as complicated as one might think, the overall most important thing is the crews experience.