04-05-2015, 02:16 PM
From an experienced rail the main is used all the time to switch cars off sidings or auxiliary tracks. Just a few things to clarify and maybe help you understand the difference in railroad terminology.
A siding is designated in the Timetable as a place to meet or pass trains. This means that either a dispatcher or control operator would control movements in and out of the siding using some sort or track authority. It could be Track Warrrant Train Order or signals. So before the switch crew started working they would have to contact whoever was controlling the main so everyone would be safe in case they wanted to meet a train in the siding.
Auxiliary or other then main track these tracks are not otherwise controlled by dispatcher or operator. This could be any track either double ended or single ended on the railroad that you do not have to have specific authority to occupy. So if the track is not used to meet or pass trains and was just used to runaround or store cars you would still need permission to use the main but the use of the track would be at the crews discression.
spur tracks have one way in and one way out and there are special rules governing how movements are to be handled going into them.
Not sure if that helps at all but there it is.
A siding is designated in the Timetable as a place to meet or pass trains. This means that either a dispatcher or control operator would control movements in and out of the siding using some sort or track authority. It could be Track Warrrant Train Order or signals. So before the switch crew started working they would have to contact whoever was controlling the main so everyone would be safe in case they wanted to meet a train in the siding.
Auxiliary or other then main track these tracks are not otherwise controlled by dispatcher or operator. This could be any track either double ended or single ended on the railroad that you do not have to have specific authority to occupy. So if the track is not used to meet or pass trains and was just used to runaround or store cars you would still need permission to use the main but the use of the track would be at the crews discression.
spur tracks have one way in and one way out and there are special rules governing how movements are to be handled going into them.
Not sure if that helps at all but there it is.