Housatonic Double-heading

While visiting the Berkshires this weekend, I caught some Housie operations in Great Barrington (NB train on Friday PM) and Canaan (Saturday switching activity). In both cases there were two locomotives lashed up (3600 & 3602), yet the train I saw appeared to be only about 30 cars long.

Is this a case where neither locomotive is in such great shape so they lash 'em to make sure the train runs even if one craps out, or what?

The Housatonic RR maintains their locomotives in good condition. Although the trains you saw were 30 cars, what's to say they wouldn't be picking up more cars later in their runs, especially the northbound run you saw which probably was heading for the interchange at Pittsfield?

HRRC runs 80% of all trains with two locomotives.

Running 2 units could be for crew comfort-not having to run backwards for half of the round trip. If 2 units are not needed to power the train, one unit can be isolated or shut down, depending on the temperature. In isolate, the unit just idles, and does not respond to throttle settings.