Definition: Single End or Double End

A single end car is one designed to go in one direction only. It needs to be turned around at the end of a line before heading back where it started. A double end car is one with controls at both ends—it effectively has two fronts and no back. At the end of the line the crew just needs to “change ends”—lower one trolley pole then raise the other, carry the controls from one end to the other, reverse the seats, then head back. This saves the space and expense of a loop of track at the end of a line or at intermediate points where it might be necessary to reverse directions.

This New Orleans car is double ended--both ends are identical so the car can be operated in either direction.	This Boston PCC car is single end--it has a distinct front and back and is configured to operate in one direction only.