branch line
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A secondary railway line that connects to and diverges from a main railway line (trunk line). It serves local areas, industries, or specific destinations not on the main route.
Usage
A "branch line" is a specific type of railway infrastructure. It is used to describe a less important line that splits off from a primary, high-capacity trunk line. Its primary function is to provide connectivity to smaller communities, factories, mines, or ports, feeding traffic onto the main network.
Examples
- Noun:
- The old branch line to the coastal village was closed due to lack of passengers.
- Freight trains use the branch line to transport goods from the factory to the main rail network.
- The railway company is considering reopening the branch line for tourist services.
Advanced Usage
- "to be on a branch line": to be located on or served by a secondary railway route.
- The town is charming but a bit isolated, as it's on a branch line.
Variants and Related Words
- Branch (verb): To divide into one or more subdivisions.
- The path branches off to the left just ahead.
- Spur line (noun): A very short branch line, often serving a single industry or terminal.
- Feeder line (noun): A similar concept in various transport systems, such as buses or airlines, that collects traffic and feeds it to a main route.
Synonyms
- Spur: A short branch line.
- Secondary line: A line of lesser importance than the main line.
- Feeder line: A line that feeds traffic into a larger system.
Antonyms
- Trunk line: The main, high-capacity railway line.
- Main line: The principal route of a railway system.
Related Phrases
- Branch off (phrasal verb): To separate from something main and go in a different direction. (While not exclusive to railways, it captures the core idea.)
- Take the road that branches off to the right just after the bridge.
Noun
- a railway line connected to a trunk line