It all depends on the era you are working in, Banmars. On the GWR/BR, certain coaches were adapted for push pull operations, where the fireman stayed on board the loco but the driver drove the train from the cab of the specially adapted coach, otherwise known as 'Autotrailers', or, in GWR parlance, 'Auto-trains' or 'Motor-Trains'.
If you aren't running steam, why not settle for a DMU?
Or, be like the GNER and use an electric Class 90 for the same duty?
(The last rail journey I took to Norwich utilised this principle. ) Hope this helps you.