Eric, Apologies! I didn't see that coming.
As for having the loco facing the right way for ballasting, I can relate to that; years ago as a fireman, we were loading sidedumps directly out of a creekbed using a frontend loader while we had the train parked on the bridge over the creek. This was on a secondary mainline to boot.
The Enginedriver insisted on getting the loco turned first thing in the morning until I pointed out that I was having to pass the signals to him as they were loading on myside. After a little conflab we had the loco facing inwards to the train so I could put my feet up for the loading process.
Then that Driver figured he was the one sitting in the hot sun and put me to driving.
Chris
in New Zealand