passing loop

plural passing loops

1. rail transportOn a single-track railway or tramway, an extra track provided at a certain place to allow two trains travelling in opposite directions to pass each other. It can also allow a faster train to overtake a slower one.

   From Blackwater there is a more or less level run through gently rolling farmlands and downs to Merstone, with its island platform and passing loop.

   1946 July and August, K. Westcott Jones, “Isle of Wight Central Railway—2”, in Railway Magazine, page 243

   2 more examples

   In the east of Yorkshire, Mr. A. M. Ross reports the belief of local railwaymen that the N.E.R. plans to single the York-Beverley line, leaving an adequate provision of passing loops, and to operate it by C.T.C. from York; [...].

   1959 June, “Talking of Trains: North Eastern report”, in Trains Illustrated, page 293

   Provision of a passing loop at Brading [Isle of Wight] at a cost of £1 million will allow a half-hourly service to replace the current unbalanced 20/40-minute interval service.

   2019 October, “Vivarail EMUs for Island Line”, in Modern Railways, page 13

   Synonyms: crossing loop