balloon loop

noun

A looped section of track that allows a rail vehicle or train to reverse direction without having to shunt or even stop.

“Balloon loops can be useful for passenger trains and unit freight trains, such as coal trains.”

Similar
reversing loopturning loop
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Meanings

nounballoon loop (plural balloon loops)

plural balloon loops

  1. A looped section of track that allows a rail vehicle or train to reverse direction without having to shunt or even stop.

    Balloon loops can be useful for passenger trains and unit freight trains, such as coal trains.

    Synonyms: reversing loop, turning loop

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA looped section of track that allows a rail vehicle or train to reverse direction without having to shunt or even stop.

Similar
reversing loopturning loop
Also see
reversing loop

Origin

From its typical shape.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

balloon loop. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/balloon%20loop

MLA

“balloon loop.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/balloon%20loop. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “balloon loop,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/balloon%20loop.

Source: balloon loop on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.