1. railroad facilities where trains are assembled, disassembled, and cars are sorted and switched between different tracks
Usage: railroad terminology; plural form of switchyard

Examples

• The freight trains were routed through several switchyards before reaching their final destinations.
• Workers at the switchyards operated the signals to direct incoming locomotives.
• The company built new switchyards to handle the increased rail traffic.
• Cargo containers were transferred between different rail lines at the busy switchyards.
• The old switchyards were converted into a public park after the railroad ceased operations.
• Safety protocols are strictly enforced in all major switchyards across the network.