Crossing loop

A crossing loop is a place on a single line railway where trains in opposing directions can "cross" each other.

Trains in the same direction can also overtake.

The crossing loop connects to the main track at both ends of the station, though a dead end siding, which is much less convenient, can be used.

Ideally, the loop should be longer than all trains needing to cross at that station.

If one train is too long for the loop it must wait for the opposing train to enter the loop proceeding, wasting a few minutes. Ideally, the shorter train should arrive first and leave second.

If both trains are too long for the loop, time-wasting "sea-sawing" operations are required for the trains to cross.

Contents

1 Platforms 2 System of working 2.1 Main and Loop 2.2 Platform Road and Through Road 2.3 Up and Down Working 3 Accidenta crossing loops 3.1 Casey Jones 3.2 Violet Town 4 Other names

Platforms

on railway systems that use platforms for passengers to board and disembark trains, especially high level platforms, platforms may provided on both main and loop tracks or just the main track.

System of working

Main and Loop

Platform Road and Through Road

Up and Down Working

Trains take the left hand track in their direction of running.

If needed, platforms must be provided on both tracks.

Low speed turnouts in one direction.

Accidenta crossing loops

Casey Jones

The legendary train driver Casey Jones was killed in an accident in 1900 involving trains too long to cross at the crossing loop at Vaughan, Mississippi.

The trains trying to cross were occupying both the main and loop tracks, and in addition, the train doing the sea-saw was standing outside station limits.

Jones was travelling fast in order to make up lost time, and did not stop in time to avoid a collision.

Violet Town

• Violet Town railway disaster - driver dies approaching crossing loop, and goes through loop without stopping

Other names

• passing loop - used America
• refuge loop or siding - used on double lines