The German BR01 Lokomotive can travel 75mph forwards but only 30mph backwards: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/DRG_Class_01 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/DRG_

The German BR01 Lokomotive can travel 75mph forwards but only 30mph backwards: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/DRG_Class_01 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/DRG_Class_01 The difference with a passenger car is that the wheels on a car are mounted on a bogie which can swing independent of the car body. The front wheels of a steam loco are also usually able to swing from side to side. This helps it enter and exit curves without derailing. A tender(at least in the Styles used in Europe) is too short for this.