backshunt

English

Etymology

From back +‎ shunt.

Noun

backshunt (plural backshunts)

1. (rail transport, UK) A section of railway track which gives access to a siding (or another section of railway line) only by reversing direction; also a train movement which uses such track.
   • 1939 December, John D. Hewitt, “Some Notable British Main Lines: II. Salisbury and Exeter, S.R.”, in Railway Magazine, page 412:

     Another peculiarity of this branch is that, like the Chard line, it has no direct connection with the main line, a backshunt into a siding being necessary before this can be reached.