By that time most class i railroads ran trains of 1 2 to 1 mile in length so a mile would be typical for passing sidings.
How long ar train sidings.
This research seeks to characterize the interaction between passing siding and train lengths and the subsequent effect on train delay.
A siding in rail terminology is a low speed track section distinct from a running line or through route such as a main line or branch line or spur it may connect to through track or to other sidings at either end.
To model that era effectively 30 50 car trains are good so passing sidings of 18 to 25 actual feet would be best for a large class i line.
Referring to the extension of the asl fitzgerald subdivision siding athatley on csx to 11 239 feet a question was posted in the railroad list railroad cunyvm cuny edu bit listserv railroad asking when a section of 2tracks is a siding and a main track and when it is two main tracks.
Sidings often have lighter rails meant for lower speed or less heavy traffic and few if any signals.
Generally the designation siding or main track is a matter of function.
To implement longer trains railroad operators may run long trains in a single direction or fleet trains or extend sidings enough to facilitate bidirectional operation of long trains.