KJM too used to couple the locos SHF-SHF many times. Though on fewer occasions than MLY or the others. Even with MLY, the arrangement was more common with their WDM2's, than with the recent WDM3A's or WDG3A's. The older WDM2's had the driving cab on the right side when in SHF, this meant that the LP had to rely on the ALP to call out the signals to him. Whereas, in LHF, the LP himself would be able to sight the signal. So, the SHF-LHF arrangement had some merit to it. The newer WDG3A's and EMD's have the driver cab on the left hand side, so the LP never has a problem sighting the signals.
Also, reversing...
more... the incoming ALCO needs either a turntable or a reversing triangle. Turn-tables have practically disappeared now, while not all stations have reversing triangles available. KJM locos frequently use the CSDR-BYPL-KJM triangle for reversing, which makes it easier for them to have SHF-SHF twins. MLY and particularly ED do not have these arrangements. With the MLY bypass now available, MLY has a reversing line for use. ED however needs meticulous planning to ensure Locos are SHF. They either need to go to TPJ, take another train to SA and thus have the 2 reversals necessary to get the loco in the opposite orientation. Before the Salem-Karur line was opened, they had to run the loco till Salem and use the triangle at Magnesite Jn. to reverse the loco and run the loco back to ED. So, ensuring the SHF-SHF arrangement was not always possible.