RAILROAD YARD Meaning and
Definition
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A railroad yard, also known as a rail yard, is a designated area within a railway system where trains are assembled, disassembled, stored, and maintained. It serves as a vital hub in the transportation network, enabling the efficient movement of trains, freight cars, and locomotives.
Typically, a railroad yard consists of multiple tracks arranged in a parallel configuration, encompassing a considerable area of land. The tracks within the yard are interconnected by switches, allowing trains to be rerouted and reorganized as required. The primary function of a yard is to organize trains according to their destinations, origins, or specific purposes.
Railroad yards play a crucial role in facilitating various operations. They provide facilities for sorting the train cars based on their cargo, which ensures efficient transfers of goods between different locations. Additionally, yards offer amenities for locomotive servicing, including repairs, fueling, and maintenance, ensuring the readiness and reliability of the engines.
Within a railroad yard, various specialized zones can be found, such as a hump yard. In a hump yard, cars are pushed or pulled up an incline before being released, allowing gravity to automatically sort them onto their respective tracks based on predetermined destinations.
Overall, railroad yards are critical hubs in the smooth functioning of railway systems, facilitating the movement, organization, and maintenance of trains and their cargoes.
Common Misspellings for RAILROAD YARD
- eailroad yard
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Etymology of RAILROAD YARD
The term "railroad yard" can be broken down into two parts: "railroad" and "yard".
The word "railroad" originated in England in the early 19th century to describe a system of tracks and trains used for transporting goods and people. The British English term for this was originally "railway", which referred to the tracks themselves. However, as the technology spread to the United States, the term "railroad" became more commonly used.
The word "yard" comes from the Old English word "gierd", meaning a rod or staff. Over time, it evolved to refer to an area of land, typically enclosed, used for various purposes, such as storage or as a working space.
When these two words are combined, "railroad yard" refers to an enclosed area where trains are stored, switched, and assembled.
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