Bob, thank you for the comments. Most of the time you will see the engines facing opposite directions so they can run "forward" in either direction. For example, if this southbound train gets to the mine then has to return north, the crew can simply move the power to the other end of the train and still have an engine facing "forward".
The engines accelerate and brake equally regardless if they're pointing forward or backwards. Unlike an automobile, forward and reverse share the same gear ratios.
