Railway line classification

1. Main Line The main line is a trunk line in the railway network that connects stations and runs through sections. It directly undertakes the task of train operation and has a higher priority. For example, the main road connecting two cities is usually composed of the main line to ensure efficient passage of trains.
2. Station Line The station line refers to other lines within the station range except the main line, which are mainly used for train parking, marshaling, maintenance and other operations. For example, the shunting line is used for the re-marshaling of carriages, and the storage line is used for temporary parking of trains to ensure the orderly operation of the station.
3. Section Pipeline The section pipeline is a dedicated line for railway locomotives, vehicles and other departments, usually located in the locomotive depot or vehicle depot, serving the needs of locomotive and vehicle maintenance and preparation. For example, the maintenance depot line in the locomotive depot is specifically used for locomotive maintenance.
4. Branch Line The branch line is a branch line branched from the main line or station line, usually connecting special areas such as factories, mines, and ports. For example, a branch line laid by a factory for transporting raw materials is a branch line that only serves a specific enterprise.
5. Special-purpose lines This type of line is set up for specific operation needs and includes four main types:
(1) Safety line: to prevent conflicts caused by trains taking wrong routes, usually set outside the station signal.
(2) Arrival and departure line: used for train arrival, departure and parking, and is the core functional line of the station. (3) Freight line: dedicated to cargo loading and unloading operations, commonly found in freight stations or logistics hubs.
(4) Pull-out line: assists in shunting operations and facilitates the movement and reorganization of train carriages. VI. Refuge line Refuge lines are often set up at the end of steep slopes to intercept runaway trains and avoid major accidents. For example, refuge lines are often set up on downhill sections of mountain railways to slow down and stop runaway trains through buffer ramps or sand pits.The above classification covers the main types of railway lines, and the design of each type of line serves the core goal of improving railway transportation safety and efficiency.