- Top and tail
A top and tail
railway train is a haslocomotive s at both ends, for ease of changing direction. This is a UK term. It is normal for only the leading loco to power the train when in top and tail mode, "cf" push pull operation with both locos powering.It is properly distinct from a
push-pull train , which has a locomotive at one end and a control cab at the other end.Trains going up zig zags of the
Khyber Pass are top-and-tailed, althoughPakistan Railways calls this by a different term.In
Japan , the term "push-pull" is confusingly used to describe trains top-and-tailed with a locomotive at either end. (True push-pull operation with a locomotive at one end is not seen on Japanese mainline railways.)Stations and Yards serviceable by Top and Tail
Australia
* Minto Inland Port
* Tahmoor colliery -balloon loop now faces wrong way.
*Macquarie Generation - operates coal trains on spot market where ballon loops and sidings often face the wrong way.* Rail Transport Museum of New South Wales operates trains between Sydney and Thirlmere with a steam engine at one end and a diesel engine at the other. The steam engine is at the front whenever passengers are on board.
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