Editing Rail transport operations (section)

===Freight operations===
{{Main|Freight train}}
[[File:Grain silos.jpg|thumb|Small grain silos in railyard - truck and train loading/unloading (rail transfer left side foreground now not in use by trains)(2016)]]
[[Freight]] or cargo trains are loaded and unloaded in [[Intermodal freight transport|intermodal]] terminals (also called container freight stations or freight terminals), and at customer locations (e.g. [[Mining|mines]], [[grain elevator]]s, [[Factory|factories]]). Intermodal freight transport uses standardized [[Containerization|containers]], which are handled by [[Crane (machine)|crane]]s. Along their routes, freight trains are routed through [[rail yard]]s to sort cars and assemble trains for their final destinations, as well as for equipment maintenance, refueling, and crew changes. Within a freight yard, trains are composed in a [[classification yard]]. [[Switcher]] or shunter locomotives help the composing.

A [[unit train]] (also called a block train), which carries a block of cars all of the same origin and destination, does not get sorted in a classification yard, but may stop in a freight yard for inspection, engine servicing and/or crew changes.

Combining freight and passenger operations on a single track with [[passing loop]]s poses operational problems, because of the different demands of freight operators and public transport. In many smaller countries passenger operations are done during the day, while freight trains operate mostly during the night.{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}} Dedicated tracks have been assigned to some operations.{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}}