Refuge siding

A refuge siding is a single-ended, or dead-end, siding off a running line,^[1] which may be used to temporarily accommodate a train so that another one can pass it. For example, a refuge siding might be used by a slow goods train to allow a fast passenger train to pass.^[2] It is similar in concept to a passing loop but is connected to the main line at only one end, rather than both ends.

On the Japanese railway network, 8 refuge sidings (known locally as a form of switchback) remain in day-to-day use - Obasute Station, Hatsukari Station, Nihongi Station, Tsubojiri Station, Shingai Station, [ja], [ja] and [ja] - 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.

Sometimes refuge sidings were needed where there were steep ramps on the line. For example, at Gresford railway station in Australia, 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.

References[]

^ Ellis, Iain (2006). Ellis' British Railway Engineering Encyclopaedia. Lulu, p. 293. ISBN 978-1-84728-643-7.
^ Jackson, Alan A. (2006). The Railway Dictionary, 4th ed., Sutton Publishing, Stroud, p. 282. ISBN 0-7509-4218-5.

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[1] Ellis, Iain (2006). Ellis' British Railway Engineering Encyclopaedia. Lulu, p. 293. ISBN 978-1-84728-643-7.

[2] Jackson, Alan A. (2006). The Railway Dictionary, 4th ed., Sutton Publishing, Stroud, p. 282. ISBN 0-7509-4218-5.

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v t Railway track layouts
Railway track	Single track Passing loop Double track Quadruple track Crossover
Rail sidings	Balloon loop Headshunt Pocket track Refuge siding Rail yard Classification yard
Junctions	Flying junction Level junction Double junction Facing and trailing Grand union Grand circle / roundabout Wye Switch / turnout / points Swingnose crossing Level crossing
Stations	Railway platform Bay Island Side Split Terminal station Balloon loop Spanish solution Cross-platform interchange Interchange station Infill station
Hillclimbing	Horseshoe curve Zig Zag / Switchback Spiral
Track geometry	Track gauge Ruling gradient Minimum curve radius Cant Cant deficiency

v t Rail infrastructure
Tracks (history)	Axe ties Ballast Baulk road Breather switch Cant Clip and scotch Date nail Fastening system Fishplate Ladder track Minimum radius Profile Tie/Sleeper Transition curve
Trackwork	Balloon loop Classification yard Headshunt Pocket track Junction Gauntlet track Guide bar Passing loop Track gauge dual gauge Rail track tramway track Rail yard Railway electrification system overhead lines third rail ground-level power supply Railway turntable Roll way Siding refuge siding Switch Track geometry Water crane Water trough Wye
Signalling and safety	Block post Buffer stop Catch points Defect detector Derailer Interlocking Level crossing Loading gauge Railway signal Signalling control Structure gauge Signal bridge Tell-tale Train stop Wayside horn
Structures	Coaling tower Motive power depot/Railway workshop Platform Roundhouse Shed for trains for goods Station building clock Water stop

Refuge siding

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References[]