Need definition for Trunk line and Belt Line

[Anonymous]

Can someone define for me what a trunk line railroad and a belt line railroad is?

Thanks,

[ndbprr]

A trunk line is in a suitcase and a belt line goes around the middle of the town. Couldn't resist. A Belt line does one of two things and usually both when started. It connects a couple of major railroads or more with a track and probably yards that allow the trains to bypass going into the city. Very much the way the interstate loops around cities allow through traffic to avoid going into the city congested areas. At this point many cities have expanded beyond where the belt lines were originally located. The Indiana Harbor Belt is well within city limits at this point as an example. I have to say I don't have any idea about a Trunk line and the only one I know of with that word in its name is Grand Trunk Western.

[Anonymous]

thanks ndbprr, and you're excused for the joke.....

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

A trunk line is a mainline railroad route providing through service between major cities.

A belt line is a large terminal railroad which provides bypass and connecting lines away from the center of a metro area but within switching district boundaries. The last point is important for ratemaking purposes and would distinguish IHB and BRC, which are within the Chicago Switching District, from the EJ&E, which is a line-haul bypass route outside the Chicago Switching District.

[AltonFan]

QUOTE: A belt line is a large terminal railroad which provides bypass and connecting lines away from the center of a metro area but within switching district boundaries. The last point is important for ratemaking purposes and would distinguish IHB and BRC, which are within the Chicago Switching District, from the EJ&E, which is a line-haul bypass route outside the Chicago Switching District.

IIRC, historically, the EJ&E defined the boundary of the Chicago switching district.