Pushing operation on mine runs

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

I grew up in Kopperston in the eighties, and pushing caboose-first was the 
normal procedure.  It was done every day until cabooses were canned for 
good.
Sometimes, I would run up the hill, by the tunnel (long concrete VGN culvert 
under a fill), up the path to trackside to see the conductor leaning by the 
brakewheel and controlling the movement.
This is mentioned in Kurt Reisweber's "VGN Rails 1953-1993" as the move from 
Plunkett to Kopperston.
Kopperston does have a siding plenty long enough to run around a train, but 
this is where some of the loads were "dropped" to for storage.
Now, since cabooses are gone, there are units on each end.
Dave Estep
Manassas VA


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>Can anyone comment on the extent to which N&W & VGN used pushing movements 

>to get empties to mines that lacked run-arounds?

>

>1.  What was about the maximum distance that pushing would be used before a 

>major effort would be made to find a place to build a run-around?

>

>2.  Would a caboose usually lead the train?

>

>3.  Were there any special operating techniques used to communicate between 

>the loco and the head-end of the train before radios?

>

>4.  Are "long-distance" pushing movements more common today than in steam 

>days?

>

>Pete Groom

>

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