Normally the front is the locomotive ( which may have the “ pilot” attached to the front of it) . The pilot is whatever is attached to the front, which may be the “ cow catcher”. At the back its the last carriage ; sometimes this has the cabin for the guard (s). In the US it's often called the Caboose.

Telling the front from the back of a train in 2026 depends on whether it is a "locomotive-hauled" train or a "multiple unit." On traditional long-distance trains, the front is where the locomotive (engine) is located, characterized by the absence of passenger windows and the presence of a distinct cab with a driver. However, most modern commuter and high-speed trains (like the Shinkansen or Eurostar) are "reversible," with a driver's cab at both ends. In this case, the front is identified by the lighting: international rail regulations mandate that the front of a moving train must display bright white or yellow headlights, while the back (the "tail") must display steady red lights. Additionally, if the train is stationary at a platform, you can look for the pantograph (the arm reaching for the overhead wires); on some models, only the rear pantograph is raised to reduce turbulence. For passengers, the "front" is also typically the direction in which the automated announcements refer to "the front of the train" for upcoming platform exits, or where the "Car 1" or "First Class" markings are often located, depending on the specific railway's numbering system.