What are yard tracks primarily used for?

Yard tracks are primarily used for storing and assembling rail cars that will make up future trains. This function is essential for efficient train operations, allowing for the organization and categorization of rail cars based on various criteria such as destination and cargo type. By using yard tracks in this way, railroads can create trains that are properly configured before they head out onto the mainline.

While repairing damaged trains, loading cargo, and facilitating passenger loading are also important functions within a railway system, they are typically not the primary purpose of yard tracks. Repair services usually occur in designated repair shops or maintenance facilities, cargo loading usually happens at stations or loading docks designed for that purpose, and passenger services are generally handled in stations equipped for boarding and alighting, rather than on yard tracks. Thus, the main role of yard tracks remains focused on the storage and assembly of rolling stock.