Pushing a long string of uncoupled freight cars over an elevated track structure in a classification yard. As cars crest the hill, they are uncoupled and roll down the other side by gravity, automatically routed into specific tracks to build outgoing trains. This process sorts cars much faster than flat switching.
We need to hump this inbound manifest before the next crew gets on duty.
Humping is a slow, steady shove. It requires precise speed control from the locomotive to ensure cars separate at the right intervals.
Related terms
Hump yard
A classification yard where cars are pushed over a small hill and roll by gravity into sorting tracks.
Bowl
The set of classification tracks at the bottom of a hump yard where sorted cars collect.
Classification yard
A large rail facility where freight cars are sorted to build outgoing trains.
Cut
A group of cars coupled together and handled as one piece; as a verb, to uncouple them.