DCHP-1 Online
front train 
n. in railway building, the first train to pass over newly laid track, carrying materials for further construction.
- 1923 (1926) On August 11, 1883, the "front" train reached the "eleventh siding," or what is known to-day as the city of Calgary. . . . the front train was the construction train, the train that never went back.
- 1962 As soon as the track was down, the "front train" inched its way along the new-laid rails, carrying the materials for another mile of track--ten cars of ties, six cars of rails, two cars of bridge material, two cars of telegraph line material, two sleeping cars with four tiers of berths, and several cook cars, the whole hauled by two engines.
- 1923 (1926) On August 11, 1883, the "front" train reached the "eleventh siding," or what is known to-day as the city of Calgary. . . . the front train was the construction train, the train that never went back.