Junction (rail)
From Free net encyclopedia
Image:Clapham Junction Railway Station - Acute end of the Railway Junction - London - 240404.jpg A junction, in the context of rail transport, is a point at which two or more routes diverge, controlled by 'points' (US: switches) and signalling.
Railroad operations refer to stations that lie on or near a railway junction as a junction station. Frequently, trains are built up and taken apart (separated) at such stations so that the same train can split up and go to multiple destinations. For goods trains (US: freight trains), marshalling yards (US: Classification yards) serve a similar purpouse.
Measures to improve junction capacity
The capacity of the junctions limits the capacity of a railway network more than the capacity of individual railway lines. This applies more as the network density increases. Measures to improve junctions are often more useful than building new railway lines. The capacity of a railway junction can be increased with improved signalling measures, by building points suitable for higher speeds, or by turning level junctions into flying junctions. With more complicated junctions such construction can rapidly become very expensive, especially if space is restricted by tunnels, bridges or inner-city tracks.