branch line

American  

noun

1. a rail line, directly or indirectly connected with a main line, having its own stations and service.

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branch line British  

noun

1. railways a secondary route to a place or places not served by a main line

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Etymology

Origin of branch line

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

For the past 18 years, the only direct train you could get from the one-platform halt at Cardiff Bay is down the one-mile branch line to the country's second busiest station, Cardiff Queen Street.

From BBC

National Rail said water had risen above the tracks between Clifton Down in Bristol and Severn Beach, meaning trains could not run on the branch line.

From BBC

Amtrak does, however, control some of its own rails, and so most travel in the Northeast Corridor — including its popular Acela service between Boston and Washington — and on related branch lines to Albany, N.Y.;

From New York Times

It said most travel in the Northeast Corridor and on related branch lines to Albany, N.Y.;

From New York Times

It also said there would be no regional or branch lines operating.

From BBC