Backshunt

{{Short description|Railway track configuration to change direction where a curve would not fit}}

{{Infobox rail line

| box_width =

| name =

| other_name =

| native_name =

| native_name_lang =

| color =

| logo =

| logo_width =

| logo_alt =

| image = Backshunt.jpg

| image_width =

| image_alt =

| caption = An example of a backshunt from an industrial siding on to a mainline

| type =

}}

A backshunt is a railway track configuration in situations where a change in (almost opposite) direction is required and a traditional curve cannot fit.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jBeXS5ZUVhAC&pg=PA72 |title=Last Train to Paradise: Journeys from the Golden Age of New Zealand Railways |author=Graham Hutchins |year=2011 |page=72 |isbn=9781927147290 |publisher=Exisle Publishing}}

There are two main applications of a backshunt.

1. To climb or drop a steep incline using a zig zag{{cite journal |url=https://www.proquest.com/openview/a5f19a09cf1811b8/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=3048 |last=Crespi |first=A.J. |year=1900 |title=The Birmingham New Water Works |journal=The New Century Review |volume=8 |issue=47 |pages=358–366}}
2. To change direction on to a parallel track, often used in industrial sidings.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OZZkXRLlJZgC&pg=PA647 |title=Principles and Practices of Modern Coal Mining |author=R. D. Singh |year=2005 |page=647 |isbn=9788122409741 |publisher=New Age Publishing}}