Just confirmed several fatalities. So very sad. Train was going really fast being pushed by an engine. Don’t the engines usually pull the train???
For short passenger trains like this the engine stays at one end of the train regardless of which direction the train is going. If this was a southbound train and the engine was pushing it, then it probably would have pulled the train on the northbound return trip out of Grand Central Terminal. Unlike freight trains, many passenger trains are short enough and light enough that it’s not necessary to move the engine to the opposite end of the train when traveling in the other direction. Commuter trains usually have some specially-designed passenger cars with a cab and equipment at one end so the train engineer can operate the train from that end even though the locomotive is at the opposite end of the train.
Not if there's a long tunnel on the route.
Engine pushing means increased risk of derailment on curves.
On most commuter trains, there is a control cab in one of the cars so that it can be run in either direction. This reduces the time it takes to turn the train around.