Reverser

Reverser is a control device, typically a lever, used to set the moving direction of a motorized rail vehicle – forward, reverse or neutral. The latter typically separates the wheels from the powertrain altogether. Reverser should never be operated when a vehicle is in motion, to avoid catastrophic damage to the powertrain . For the same reason, throttle and dynamic brakes typically need to be disengaged for the reverser to be operable.

On steam engines , the equivalent of the reverser is called cutoff . It is a bit more complex in that it determines the steam intake duration per cylinder cycle.

See also: Throttle, Dynamic Brake, Cutoff, Steam Overview, Traction Motors, Hydraulic Transmission, Mechanical Transmission