railhead

noun

1. A point on a railway system where goods (or passengers) are loaded, unloaded or transferred to other transport.

   “The improved service to and from Taunton is fully justified by the passenger patronage to and from this town, which is a railhead for a large surrounding area.”

   “It would also offer an important opportunity to move construction materials in bulk, using a new railhead.”

2. The furthest point on a railroad/railway under construction to which rails have been laid.

   “By 1899 the railhead had reached the further edge of the Athi Plain at mile 315, and halted while the survey parties went ahead, and a supply base was established at the foot of the hills. This spot has become Nairobi.”

3. The top surface (head) of a rail.

   “Alternative form: rail head”

   “High levels of railhead contamination (which can prevent train predictor systems working correctly) were present in the area - probably as a result of limited operation of the railhead treatment train, according to RAIB.”

   “"During the winter, we get really bad snow conditions. We can go to eight inches of snow above the railhead, then the trains are stopped. It's usually more like four inches, but you get big drifts up towards Rannoch.”

4. An area of hostile territory at the end of a rail line that, when captured, serves for the continuous movement into position of further troops and materiel.