What is "rip track"

A RIP track, short for repair in place track, is a designated track or tracks in a rail yard or along a main rail line where locomotives and/or railroad cars can be placed for minor repairs, without removing the units from service, and sometimes without even removing a freight load from the car. In some yards, a RIP track may be used for staging locomotives or "bad order" cars for major repairs - some yards may have more than one RIP track to serve both functions.