A secondary rail route that connects smaller towns, industrial parks, or specific facilities to the primary main line. These tracks typically see lower traffic volumes, operate at slower speeds, and may have lighter rail or less advanced signaling than the main corridors they feed.
Heard on the job
The local crew works the branch line twice a week to service the grain elevator.
Insider tip
Track maintenance on a branch line is often deferred compared to the high iron, meaning crews have to watch out for rough track and strict slow orders.