Since the Term "Back Track" appears on both the StL&NA and the A&O,
thought I'd ask the questions here.

#1. Where did the term "Back Track" originate?

#2. What's it mean? as opposed to a Yard Track (which is obvious),
or a Team Track (it's origin may be more well known).

Hi Tom:

In these regions, the term "Back Track" refers to a third double-ended track off a pass track OR a track that is on the outer extremity of a track arrangement.

Help?

Andre

That's as good a definition as any I've heard.

The definition of "Team Tracks" that I grew up with usually referred to tracks where cargo was transferred from from cars to teams; ie., a buckboard, or later a truck or pickup.

OK.
Back Track is a term I hadn't heard until the N.A. and the A&O.
The origin of "team track" is more well-known.

I thought that "Back Track" might mean the track where cuts were spotted to
go "back" in the opposite direction.
In other words, if I'm running an eastbound freight, and I pull a car, or cut, from
a trailing point spur and spot it on the "back track" to be picked-up by a later
westbound freight, I've spotting the car, or cut, on the "back track"

Or maybe I'm just thinkin' too much into this???