Siding

A siding, in general rail terminology, refers to a section of rail used to store stationary rolling stock, or alternatively, a short length of rail that provides easy access to the main line from factories, mines, quarries, etc.

A siding may also refer to a stretch of rail tracks that provides a place for a train to stay temporarily while other trains pass on the main line. In British terminology - this latter example is termed a loop. This configuration allows the sequence of trains along a track to change.