I worked for the At&SF from into Barstow from Bakersfield from 1966 until 1986 and never saw the NCX with a caboose at both ends. Perhaps it was before my time. Prior to the hump yard there was no wye off of the Valley Division. Re: the Southwest Chief. I rode it a few years ago and indeed it went backward, that is baggage car at the rear to Mojave and then the power was ran around the train and we proceeded eastwaer. The wye at Mojave was in no shape to risk turning a passenger train years ago. Even after all the delay at Fleeta before we even got to Mojave by the time I got off in Albuquerque the train was on time .