Re: How to push a train?

I was either fireman or head end brakie once on a helper on the rear for a photo special. The procedure followed was for the head end to whistle off, the helper would then acknowledge with two longs and crack the throttle and begin pushing the slack toward the front. When the head end began to feel the slack bunch he opened the throttle and off we went. I recall us discussing in the cab just how to tell when enough push is enough. I don't think we arrived at any formula beyond the feel of the seat under your butt. Probably with diesel the amps and throttle notch would tell an experienced person a bit more about where they were at.