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Originally Posted by hereward
I asked how do they keep the locos synchronised, he said it wasn’t a problem but the front one had to do the work looking out for signals.
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Yes it's a rulebook requirement that the train is 'driven' from the leading cab. If that's not possible then there are restrictions and it certainly won't be running at linespeed.
There's no need for synchronisation as the 2nd loco is independent. When the locos are working in Tandem (as opposed to Multiple) the lead driver can signal their intentions (eg, starting away) using the whistle (and maybe walky-talkies ?). The 2nd driver can feel what's happening, as the loco sounds and behaves differently to when it is under its own power. If they don't apply power when the first loco does they'll effectively be coasting. Conversely if they're still powering when the lead loco shuts off they'll be propelling it and they'll feel it.
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Later his wife said he had withdrawn his services because the company was using unqualified drivers, or something like that.
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I know there is a company (which has had some significant incidents) that some mainline drivers won't work with. This is
not pettiness or politics - if you're on the footplate when someone else screws up it can go on your record too - not to mention getting killed.