Define 'yard' in the context of railway operations.

In railway operations, a 'yard' refers specifically to an area designed for assembling and serving rolling stock. This includes functions like sorting, storing, and dispatching trains. In a yard, various types of rail activities occur, such as the assembly of freight or passenger trains, the shunting of cars, and the storage of locomotives and coaches.

The concept of a yard encompasses several critical operations that facilitate efficient train movements and logistics. For instance, rail yards allow for the organization of different rail cars according to their destinations, enabling smoother operations in the rail network. They are crucial for ensuring that trains are properly configured before they embark on a journey.

The other choices, while they relate to rail operations, do not capture the complete function of a yard in this context. A permanent parking area for trains is distinct from the dynamic activities that occur in a yard. Routine maintenance activities can happen either on-site in specific maintenance facilities or at other dedicated locations, which is not the primary focus of a yard. A track section solely for freight transportation does not encompass the broader scope of activities associated with a yard's function.