In the early days banking was performed by a pilot engine attaching to the front of the train, with rear banking only in emergency. Reason included the use of dummy rather sprung buffers, the Norris Class A Extras have adaptations to increase the adhesive weight under load. At the top the banking pilot would slip away from the train engine which would slack off power and allow the pilot to draw ahead by 30 yards and be directed into a siding with the "policeman" then resetting the points for the train to continue on the main line. From May 1842 after the Norris engines were saddletanked they operated all trains up and down the Lickey themselves with train engines being detached and remaining either at the North or South end of the incline. Rear banking was adopted later.