CEMP-E
TI 850-02
AFMAN 32-1125(I)
1 MARCH 2000
c. Storage Tracks. Storage tracks or a storage yard may appear as shown in figure 8-1, but are often
designed as spur (dead end) tracks off a single ladder, as indicated in the lower left corner of figure 8-8.
(It is usually not essential to have access to either end of cars in storage, thus saving the cost and
maintenance of turnouts at one end of storage tracks).
d. Auxiliary Tracks.
(1) Figure 8-8 shows common auxiliary tracks. Their application is explained below.
Figure 8-8. Auxiliary Tracks
(2) Sidings are used for temporarily holding extra cars, or holding part of a string of cars while the rest
are being switched, or to allow an engine to get around to the other end of a string of cars.
(3) Crossovers can be used as a shortcut between routes or to allow an engine to get around a string
of cars. In figure 8-8, the crossover, for example, allows trains from the interchange yard access to the
siding without having to go south to the warehouse track and then back north again, thus the crossover
allows the siding to be conveniently used from either track. In addition, when handling a string of cars
longer than will fit on the siding, the cars may be left south of the crossover on either track, with the
engine then using the crossover to get to the other track and then around to the opposite end of the cars.
(4) At least one wye or balloon track is almost always needed at military installations. These tracks
allow engines and cars to be turned around. This capability is required for most effective use of vehicle
terminals. If cars are delivered to the installation such that the vehicles on them would be facing away
(backward) from the loading ramps, the cars need to be turned so the vehicles can be driven in a forward
direction off the cars. Of the two types of turning tracks, wyes are most common, as they require far less
space than balloon tracks. Balloon tracks are typically used if space allows them to conveniently encircle
8-12
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