Abstract: A high capacity, multiple-stage railway car switching yard connects together two or more subyards. Each subyard has a fully open arrival/departure end and may have a continuously descending gradient throughout the entire length of its classification tracks. The subyards are positioned opposite one another, so classification tracks of one subyard can serve as receiving tracks for another subyard. Escape tracks are interconnected between the two subyards to provide a higher capacity and more efficiency and flexibility than a single yard by itself.

Abstract: A high capacity, multiple-stage railway car switching yard connects together two or more subyards. Each subyard has a fully open arrival/departure end and may have a continuously descending gradient throughout the entire length of its classification tracks. The subyards are positioned opposite one another, so classification tracks of one subyard can serve as receiving tracks for another subyard. Escape tracks are interconnected between the two subyards to provide a higher capacity and more efficiency and flexibility than a single yard by itself.

Abstract: A new method of sorting railroad cars in yards is presented, whereby outbound trains are built in proper standing order for departure directly on classification tracks, using a continuously sustainable multi-stage sorting process. During this process, cars are easily separated based on priority or according to their delivery time commitments, so connections of cars needing to go on a specific train can be protected. During second stage sorting operations, railcars may be inspected or repaired while they await outbound connections on classification tracks, effectively utilizing otherwise idle time and resulting in considerable savings in time required for railcars to pass through the yard. The need for a separate departure yard, along with the bottleneck “flat” switching operation at the departure end of the classification yard, is also eliminated.