A large rail facility where cars from inbound trains are sorted and grouped by destination to build outbound trains. Cars may be sorted using hump switching, flat switching, or a combination of both. Classification yards are the central nodes of the carload network.
A classification yard where cars are pushed over an elevated hump and allowed to roll by gravity into designated classification tracks. Retarders control car speed during descent to prevent damage from collisions. Hump yards dramatically increase sorting throughput compared to flat switching.
A method of classifying cars in a yard where a locomotive pushes or pulls cars onto the correct track without the aid of a hump. Flat switching is slower than hump operations but is used at smaller yards or for fragile lading. It requires more locomotive movements and crew time per car sorted.
The process of grouping railcars destined for the same or nearby destinations together within a train so they can be set out as a single cut without additional classification. A blocking plan defines how a railroad arranges cars to minimize intermediate switching. Effective blocking reduces terminal dwell and improves network efficiency.
The complete list of equipment making up a train, including locomotives and each railcar in order, with car numbers, commodities, weights, and destinations. A consist document (also called a train list) travels with the train and is transmitted electronically ahead of arrival. Consists are essential for safety planning and crew briefings.
A train carrying a mixed assortment of carload freight bound for multiple destinations, as opposed to a unit train. Manifest trains typically undergo classification at intermediate yards to set out and pick up cars. They are the backbone of the carload business and handle the broadest variety of commodities.