apartadero

Apartadero is a term used in Spanish-speaking railway contexts to designate a siding or passing turnout—essentially a short secondary track that runs parallel to a main line and is connected at its ends to allow trains to be stored, pass, or be maneuvered out of the way. On single-track networks, an apartadero enables trains traveling in opposite directions to pass each other or to be temporarily parked while others proceed, improving traffic flow and safety. The configuration and length vary; it may be a simple spur with a turnout at one end or a longer track with crossovers in more complex yards. Access is typically governed by signals or interlocking systems, and speed restrictions on the apartadero differ from those on the main line.

The term derives from the Spanish verb apartar, meaning to separate or set aside, reflecting its function of separating rolling stock from the mainline for operations, storage, or passing maneuvers. In practice, an apartadero serves as a controlled space within a railway network to manage traffic on limited-rights or busy routes.

Apartadero also appears as a geographical toponym in several Spanish-speaking countries, used for small settlements, rail stops, or waypoints along routes. In these uses, the name usually denotes a site where trains historically paused or where a secondary route diverges from a primary path.

See also: railway siding, passing loop, turnout, interlocking.