Track Designations A train and the track to run it on are surely the most basic items needed for our discussion. Yet it must also be clear which track is to be used for that train. For this purpose, various terminology has arisen. Note that in this sheme, eastbound tracks are numbered with even numbers, from inside to out, just like eastbound trains are typically numbered.
Westbound tracks receive odd numbers.
The British system has been to name tracks after their function and direction relative to the datum point, London. The former British Rail also has a lot of multiple-track territory. In 4-track territory, one may find an 'up slow', 'up fast', 'down fast', and 'down slow' tracks. The 'slow' tracks are 'slow', of course, because there are passenger platforms alongside them where trains on the slow track generally stop. Switches are controlled and connected with the signalling system in various ways and to various degrees.