A refuge siding is a single-ended, or dead-end,
siding off a running line, which may be used to temporarily accommodate a
train
In rail transport, a train (from Old French , from Latin , "to pull, to draw") is a series of connected vehicles that run along a railway track and Passenger train, transport people or Rail freight transport, freight. Trains are typically pul ...
so that another one can pass it. For example, a refuge siding might be used by a slow
goods train
Rail freight transport is the use of railroads and trains to transport cargo as opposed to human passengers.
A freight train, cargo train, or goods train is a group of freight cars (US) or goods wagons (International Union of Railways) hauled ...
to allow a fast
passenger train
A passenger train is a train used to transport people along a railroad line. These trains may consist of unpowered passenger railroad cars (also known as coaches or carriages) hauled by one or more locomotives, or may be self-propelled; self pr ...
to pass. It is similar in concept to a
passing loop
A passing loop (UK usage) or passing siding (North America) (also called a crossing loop, crossing place, refuge loop or, colloquially, a hole) is a place on a single line railway or tramway, often located at or near a station, where trains or ...
but is connected to the
main line
Mainline, ''Main line'', or ''Main Line'' may refer to:
Transportation
Railway
* Main line (railway), the principal artery of a railway system
* Main line railway preservation, the practice of operating preserved trains on an operational railw ...
at only one end, rather than both ends.
Japan
On the Japanese railway network, 8 refuge sidings (known locally as a form of
switchback) remain in day-to-day use -
Obasute Station
is a railway station on the Shinonoi Line in the city of Chikuma, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. It is operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East).
Lines
Obasute Station, which is served by trains on the Shinonoi Line, is located 54.2 ...
,
Hatsukari Station
is a railway station of the Chūō Main Line, East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Hatsukari-Shimohatsukari, in the city of Ōtsuki, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. The station also has a freight terminal operated by the Japan Freight Railway ...
,
Nihongi Station
is a railway station on the Echigo Tokimeki Railway Myōkō Haneuma Line in the city of Jōetsu, Niigata, Japan, operated by the third-sector operator Echigo Tokimeki Railway. It is also a freight terminal for the Japan Freight Railway Company ...
,
Tsubojiri Station
is a passenger railway station located in the city of Miyoshi, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. It is operated by JR Shikoku and has the station number "D19".
Lines
Tsubojiri Station is served by JR Shikoku's Dosan Line and is located from the be ...
,
Shingai Station
is a passenger railway station located in the city of Kami, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. It is operated by JR Shikoku and has the station number "D36".
Lines
The station is served by the JR Shikoku Dosan Line and is located 103.9 km from the ...
, , and - while 48 former refuge sidings, now converted into conventional passing loops or abandoned, are attested. They are mostly used by stopping passenger trains and freight trains, especially in cases where express trains are scheduled to pass.
Australia
: Fish River - up and down refuge sidings on double track
: Otford - up and down refuge sidings on double track
: Berry - refuge siding
: Dombarton up and down refuge sidings
: Capertee refuge and goods sidings
: Cowan - up refuge sidings on double track
Cowan
converted to loop.
Sometimes refuge sidings were needed where there were steep ramps on the line. For example, at Gresford railway station in Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
, the gradient was so steep that a refuge siding was required at the station in case some of the wagons or coaches of a train had to be left behind so that it could climb the hill.
In British and Australian practice at least, it was common to refer to such sidings as an "Up refuge siding" or "Down refuge siding" depending on the orientation of the siding in relation to the direction of travel.
See also
* Passing loop
A passing loop (UK usage) or passing siding (North America) (also called a crossing loop, crossing place, refuge loop or, colloquially, a hole) is a place on a single line railway or tramway, often located at or near a station, where trains or ...
* Settle-Carlisle line, where there used to be many refuge sidings in the age of steam.
References
Railway sidings
de:Gleisanschluss#Ausweichanschlussstelle
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