How would this be switched?

[Puddlejumper]

I might have the terminology screwed up. We called them static drops on the ex-CR in D.C. It's when you uncouple and bleed off the car on a grade with the handbrake applied, then run the loco past the switch, then release the brake on the car and ride it in, stopping the car past the switch. Then you can use the loco to spot said car.