railhead

Etymology

rail + head

noun

1. (rail transport) 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. 1961 October, “The winter timetables of British Railways: Western Region”, in Trains Illustrated, pages 590–591
   It would also offer an important opportunity to move construction materials in bulk, using a new railhead. 2019 October, John Glover, “Heathrow rail expansion”, in Modern Railways, page 71
2. The furthest point on a railroad/railway under construction to which rails have been laid.
3. (rail transport) 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. December 30 2020, “Network News: Railhead contamination contributed to level crossing near miss”, in Rail, page 10
4. (military) 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 material.