John West's comment about westbound placement mentions "35 cars" and "1400 tons." If I remember correctly, Earl once mentioned that some timetables mentioned both, ie "35 cars or 1400 gross adjusted tons."
I was told by John Norwood that Rotary trains were sent out of Chama with OM, then the work consist, then the locomotives, then the caboose. One locomotive would push the Rotary and train across Lobato trestle. At Cresco siding, the locomotives would be placed directly behind the plow. The process would be reversed on westbound trains, with the engines being moved behind the consist at Cresco for the final leg into Chama.
But I don't know that for sure, obviously. Has anyone seen pictures of later Rotary trains below Cresco?
JAC