2 6x1 foot ISLs

[Brakie]

The way you describe it sure makes starting up the second engine sound like a quicker option.
I believe that they do something similar on the North-east Corridor to reduce mainline occupancy time.
Mark

Making a runaround move was faster when the railroads used a 4 man crew and caboose. You had a brakeman at both ends of the train. A lot of today's locals uses a locomotive on each end so there is no need for making a time consuming runaround move or the need to make a long reverse move out of a industrial lead back to the yard.

I fear these noisy cabooses will replace the few cabooses still in use..