Train ready to pull out of town....except that actually means backing out of town. Since the Plywood Empire Route is so thrifty (poor) it doesn't have a passing siding the train runs backwards on the return run from town to interchange. Hence the old UP Hack.
It provides a place for the Conductor at the rear (now head-end) of the train. He directs the Hogger by radio and if worst-comes-to-worst he can pull the air to stop the train. No problem really because the pike is so thrifty (poor) at saving $$ on track maintenance that FRA has placed a 15mph speed restriction on the line 
so everything happens at a nice slow pace.
See the person in the cupola? That's the old rich guy who owns the train painted in Rio Grande livery. The crew lets him ride anytime he wants.
