I am continually amazed at the amount of grain that moves over BNSF through Spokane; probably 30-40 trains a day if you include the eastbound empty movements. About 95% have DPU, and these lashups take all forms. One unit headed either direction. Two units nose to nose (this always looks strange to me), two units elephant style in either direction, or the "correct way"; two units with long hoods coupled so that cabs are aligned for operation in either direction.

I suspect the Hostlers setting them up prefer the "nose to nose" configuration as this means less walking to go between the two cabs.

Some of this grain is processed on the west coast but the majority of it is exported. We are feeding the pacific rim countries with our midwest farm crops.