Since it’s winter here and I spend my time indooors, some questions have come to mind.
I’ve noticed on a number of pictures, especially logging operations, that the engine is in the middle of the train
The question for now is: Why?
Was this done to relieve the strain on the equipment, or was it just happenstance?
Dave
If I remember correct, it would have to do with the way the various spurs were arrainged, most were dead ends so the cars would be coupled to the engine based on which way the spur to the logging area branched off the mainline. Lines that operated like this often were fairly level grade as the loading strain could overhelm an engine on downgrades.
General practice for steep lines was to keep the engine on the downgrade side at all times to help prevent runaways. Cass RR to this day still runs the excursion trains this way for safety due to the extreme grades.
Was also considering that the strain on the couplers or links could get to be too great if all loaded to one end with some of those log loads I’ve seen
You would also see such arrangements on standard gauge railroads, usually on way freights, because of switching needs. The odd arrangement wasn’t usually because of any coupler strain but rather a relatively temporary situation where the cars were pushed to a run around track farther up the line where they would be switched into the train in the normal fashion.
While not as critical perhaps on a low density logging line there still was a need for the engine crew to have visibility ahead. A brakeman would usually ride on the lead car to signal the engineer when/if to stop, etc., until the train was reassembled.
One more tidbit on very heavy logging grades in steam days: it was customary to always have the engine facing uphill regardless of direction of travel whenever possible to assure that there was water over the crown sheet. Lack of water there = KaBoom !!! Very hard on engine and crew. 