In U.S. railroad practice, a level junction (or in the United Kingdom a flat junction) is a railway junction that has a track configuration in which merging or crossing railroad lines provide track connections with each other that require trains to cross over in front of opposing traffic at grade. The structure is sometimes called a diamond junction or diamond crossing in reference to the diamond-shaped center. Routings must be controlled by signals and an interlocking plant, or by an automated Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) system. The two tracks need not be of the same gauge. The United States of America — also referred to as the United States, the U.S.A., the U.S., America, the States, or (archaically) Columbia—is a federal republic of 50 states located primarily in central North America (with the exception of two states: Alaska and Hawaii). ... This is the top-level page of WikiProject trains Rail tracks Rail transport refers to the land transport of passengers and goods along railways or railroads. ... A myriad of tracks at Clapham Junction, in London, England A junction, in the context of rail transport, is a point at which a branch line or separate route diverges from the main line. ... An at-grade intersection is a junction at which two or more transport axes cross at the same level (or grade). ... A signal is a mechanical or electrical device that indicates to train drivers information about the state of the line ahead, and therefore whether he or she must stop or may start, or instructions on what speed the train may go. ... Interlocking in railway terminology (US) is a term used to describe an at-grade crossing or other junction of two or more railroads, or any railroad switching complex in which the switches and the signals controlling train movement over those switches is interlocked so that it is impossible to give... Rail gauge is the distance between the inner sides of the two parallel rails which make up a railway track. ...

The components of an abandoned level junction assembly sit beside the current BNSF Railway main line in Orange, California. The structure at one time allowed trains of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and Southern Pacific Railroad to cross over one another's lines. The BNSF Railway (AAR reporting mark BNSF), headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is one of the largest railroad networks in North America (only one competitor, the Union Pacific Railroad, is comparable in size). ... For the historic canal, see Pennsylvania Main Line of Public Works. ... Motto: A Slice of Old Town Charm Nickname: Plaza City Map Political Statistics Founded 1869 Incorporated April 6, 1888 County Orange County, California Borough {{{borough}}} Parrish {{{parrish}}} Mayor Mark Murphy Geographic Statistics Area  - Total  - Water 27. ... The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (AAR reporting mark ATSF), often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the largest railroads in the United States. ... The Southern Pacific Railroad (AAR reporting mark SP) was an American railroad. ...

A fully assembled level junction sits in the foreground. It will replace the one in the background where Union Pacific and Kansas & Oklahoma tracks cross. The Union Pacific Railroad (AAR reporting mark UP) (NYSE: UNP) is the largest railroad in the United States. ... The Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad (AAR reporting mark KO) is one of the Watco Companies and began operations in July, 2001. ...

This temporary level junction allows Sacramento Southern Railroad trains to pass over the Union Pacific tracks in Sacramento, California. The components must be installed, railroad cars moved, and the assembly dismantled in less than 30 minutes so as not to impede UPRR freight and Amtrak passenger train movement along the main line. The Sacramento Southern Railroad is a tourist line operated by the California State Railroad Museum. ... Nickname: City of Trees Official website: http://www. ... Amtrak train in downtown Orlando, Florida Amtrak’s high-speed Acela Express at Penn Station New York, NY Amtrak is the brand name of the intercity passenger train system created on May 1, 1971 in the United States. ... For the historic canal, see Pennsylvania Main Line of Public Works. ...

A schematic diagram of a dual-gauge diamond crossing.

Level junctions, particularly those of fine angles or near right angles, create derailment risks and impose speed restrictions. The former can occur as the flanges of the wheels are momentarily unsupported and unguided and can slip through the gaps in the rails, and the latter due to the fact that the assembly contains elements that can break or vibrate loose. Level junctions are considered a maintenance issue by railroad companies as the inherent gaps tend to be hard on locomotive and rolling stock wheelsets. Switched diamonds partially solve these problems, but introduce some new problems. If possible, diamonds should be replaced by a pair of turnouts. Notable historic train accidents: 1830s September 15, 1830 – William Huskisson becomes first ever passenger train death. ...

The opposite of a level junction is a flying junction, where individual tracks rise or fall to pass over or under other tracks. In U.S. railroad practice, a flying junction is a track configuration in which merging or crossing railroad lines provide track connections with each other without requiring trains to cross over in front of opposing traffic. ...

Examples

Diamond crossings are particularly common in the United States where the lines of one company cross the lines of another company, and there is no particular need for the lines to be connected for through traffic.

A notable example is Newark flat crossing, United Kingdom, which is on the East Coast Mainline, and the Lincoln to Nottingham line. It is certainly the fastest in the UK, with East Coast trains allowed to do 100mph (160 km/h) over the crossing. GNER White Rose train at Kings Cross railway station The East Coast Main Line (ECML) is a major railway line in the United Kingdom which links London to Aberdeen, via Stevenage, Peterborough, Grantham, Doncaster, York, Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Dunbar, Edinburgh, Leuchars, Dundee and Arbroath. ... // The now widespread name Lincoln originated in a city in eastern England. ... Nottingham is a city (and county town of Nottinghamshire) in the East Midlands of England. ... Miles per hour is a unit of speed, expressing the number of international miles covered per hour. ...

Drawbridge crossing

In Queensland, Australia diamond crossings between narrow gauge cane tramways and main lines are being replaced by drawbridges so that the rails of the main line are completely unbroken by gaps or weak spots; this allows the main line speeds to be raised. Emblems: Faunal - Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus); Floral - Cooktown orchid (Dendrobium bigibbum); Bird - Brolga (Grus rubicunda); Aquatic - Barrier Reef Anemonefish (Amphiprion akindynos); Gem - Sapphire; Colour - Maroon Motto: Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Governor Premier Const. ... Narrow-gauge railways are railroads (railways) with track spaced at less than the standard gauge of 4 ft 8 in (1. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Bascule bridge. ...

Double junction

A diamond crossing is a component of a Double junction.

See also

• Rochelle Railroad Park — The double track UP mainline crosses the double track BNSF mainline (four diamond crossings altogether) at this location.