Loop (rail)

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In rail terminology, a loop can mean the following:

• Passing loop/crossing loop (Commonwealth) or 'passing siding' (US), a place for a train to wait while other trains pass on an adjacent main line.
• Loop line (rail) or simply "loop" (UK), a railway line which describes a loop, or part thereof, allowing trains to return to the start point by a different route.

• Dartford Loop in south east London, England
• Hounslow Loop in west London.
• Hamilton Square to Hamilton Square via Liverpool Central
• City Loop, in Melbourne, Australia
• Ekka Loop in Brisbane, Australia
• City Circle, the portion of Sydney, Australia's commuter railway system under the CBD
• The Loop—the hub of Chicago's 'L' rapid transit system

• Balloon loop or simply "loop" (US), a section of track which curves back onto itself to allow trains to change direction, less common than a wye (Commonwealth: triangle) track. Also known in US model railroading parlance as a "reversing loop".
• Spiral loop, a 360° turn used to gain height in a relative small space, used in railway construction in mountainous areas.