What is the most effective way to redirect a 96 tonne locomotive in the opposite direction?

 

With a finely balanced turntable.

 

Turntables were placed at various positions on the Otago Central Rail Trail to turn locomotives to face the right direction, rather than having the locomotives travel in reverse, which is not a good option. The Turntable was a finely balanced structure, therefore the locomotive needed to be placed in the correct position for the turntable to rotate efficiently.