The Polmont rail accident, also known as the Polmont rail disaster, occurred on 30 July 1984 to the west of Polmont, near Falkirk, in Scotland. A westbound push-pull express train travelling from Edinburgh to Glasgow struck a cow which had gained access to the track through a damaged fence from a field near Polmont railway station, causing all six carriages and the locomotive of the train to derail. 13 people were killed and 61 others were injured, 17 of them seriously. The accident led to a debate about the safety of push-pull trains on British Rail.
Memorial plaque at Polmont station
Push–pull is a configuration for locomotive-hauled trains, allowing them to be driven from either end of the train, whether having a locomotive at each end or not.
Push–pull train in Austria (2004); note locomotive at the rear of the train.
Push–pull train in the Czech Republic (2016); note control car at the rear of the train.
Push–pull train in the former German Democratic Republic
A modern driving van trailer in Ireland