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Aheadshunt (orescape track in theUnited States) is a short length oftrack provided to releaselocomotives atterminal platforms, or to allowshunting to take place clear of main lines.
A 'terminal headshunt' is a short length of track that allows a locomotive to uncouple from its train, move forward, and then run back past it on a parallel track. Such headshunts are typically installed at aterminal station to allow the locomotive of an arriving train to move to the opposite end of (in railway parlance, 'run around') its train so that it can then haul the same train out of the station in the other direction (assuming, of course, that it is a locomotive equipped to run in either direction; for locomotives that only operate in one direction, awye orturntable needs to be provided to physically turn the engine around, as well as a run-around track).
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Found primarily onmetro systems,rapid transitlight rail networks, andtramways, a 'reversing headshunt' allows certain trains or trams to change direction, even on lines with high traffic flow, whilst others continue through the station.
The term headshunt may also refer toshunting neck or 'shunt spur': a short length oftrack laid parallel to the main line to allow a train to shunt back into asiding orrail yard without occupying the main running-line.[citation needed]
Arun round loop (orrun-around loop) is a track arrangement that enables a locomotive to attach to the opposite end of the train. It is commonly used to haul wagons onto a siding, or at a terminal station to prepare for a return journey.[1] This process is known as "running round a train".[2]
Although a common procedure forpassenger trains when the majority of them were locomotive-hauled, the maneuver is now becoming rarer on public service railways.[citation needed] Increased use ofmultiple unit andpush-pull passenger services avoids the requirement for dedicated track and the need for railway staff to detach and reattach the locomotive at track level.[citation needed] However, onheritage railways run-round loops are still usually more or less necessary at each end of the running line, partly because train services are usually locomotive-hauled, and partly because the run-round operation gives added interest to visitors. This practice is still very common on Intercity services inVictoria, Australia.
Runaround tracks are used infreight rail service in order to back cars into spurs or to change directions to keep the locomotive at the front of the train for transport. In this case the runaround track must be as long as the longest set of cars that would be pulled. The locomotive leaves the cars on the runaround track or the main line, goes around, and hooks up to the other end of the train. It can then reverse the cars into a spur.
Stations which used to have run-rounds include:
Stations which still have run-rounds include:
If a terminal station does not have a run-round loop trains are restricted to multiple units orTop and Tail trains.[citation needed]
