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gantlet

gantlet

9.9
A section of railway track where two tracks overlap so trains can pass
  • noun
  • /ˈɡæntlə/
  • Jargon
translation icon : vía entrelazada
  • As the conductor announced the approaching gantlet, passengers were warned to stay seated for safety.

Examples

  • A section of the line includes a gantlet to allow trains to pass through the narrow tunnel.

  • Engineers installed a gantlet track near the station to accommodate both freight and passenger trains.

  • The train slows down as it approaches the complicated gantlet section.

  • The train passed through the gantlet without any issues.

  • The gantlet was designed for safety during train operations.

  • The train carefully navigated the gantlet where the two tracks came dangerously close together.

  • During the meeting, the engineer explained how the new route would include a gantlet section to improve efficiency.

Surface Forms

gantlet singular
gantlets plural

Etymology

Gantlet for the railroad track comes from that same picture of a narrow course: the rails are set so close a train must pass carefully between them, so engineers called this a gantlet track because the train must go through a tight lane like a person running the punishment.