The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word SHUNTING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
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More clues leading to the result SHUNTING
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "railway operation" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case railway operation = shunting.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SHUNTING mean?
SHUNTING verb- To cause to move (suddenly), as by pushing or shoving; to give a (sudden) start to.
- To divert to a less important place, position, or state.
- To provide with a shunt.
- To move data in memory to a physical disk.
- To divert electric current by providing an alternative path.
- To move a train from one track to another, or to move carriages, etc. from one train to another.
- To have a minor collision, especially in a motor car.
- To divert the flow of a body fluid.
- To turn aside or away; to divert.
- The connection of an electrical component in parallel with another, the current being divided between them.
- The manipulation of railway rolling stock into different combinations or onto different tracks.
- Arbitrage conducted between certain local markets without the necessity of the exchange involved in foreign arbitrage.