Light railway

nounStandard termRailroad

A secondary railroad route built to lower track and weight standards than a main line.

A secondary rail line constructed with lighter rail profiles, minimal ballast, and sharper curves to save capital costs. These routes serve rural or industrial areas where heavy mainline traffic is not expected. They strictly limit the axle loads and speeds of the equipment allowed to operate on them.

Heard on the job

You can't take the new AC traction units down that branch, it's an old light railway and the bridges won't take the weight.