scissors crossover

scissors crossover (plural scissors crossovers)

1. (rail transport) A superimposed pair of railway crossovers, resembling the letter X, permitting travel in either direction between a pair of parallel tracks.

   Synonyms: diamond crossover, scissor crossover, scissors crossing

   Hypernym: double crossover

   • 1951 September, B. D. J. Walsh, “The Sudbury and Haverhill Line, Eastern Region”, in Railway Magazine, page 619:

     Here the line is joined by the Colne Valley branch, and both tracks are carried into Haverhill station upon a high embankment from which the town can be seen on the south side. The twin tracks, after traversing a scissors crossover, become the down and up roads through the station, which possesses an extensive goods yard.

   • 1962 October, “Talking of Trains: Liverpool Street layout remodelled”, in Modern Railways, page 222:

     Included in the new layout are four new scissors crossovers.