How did push-pull work with the old equipment?

Dave, and its still the same since '01 except for the Position Light signal moved to the end of the platform instead of the side, and the double light post that was blocking the signal by the west end stairway was removed (to me which didn't make sense if the signal was moved to the new spot). Anyways the position of the locomotive in the push-pull consist never changed since the switch in the 70's.

I still don't understand why the LIRR needed the push-pulls, or why they didn't use the CNR system(I remember in boot camp them coming through the base with what I believe were single EMD F units back in the late 60,s)? Shouldn't the electricfication to Huntington freed-up diesel equiptment?

Electrification to Huntington was not completed till 1971, so no diesel equipment was freed till then. The concept again of the push-pull was to elimintate turning around the engine to create quick turnaround of the train.