The dispatcher had to shunt the empty cars onto a siding to make room for the incoming freight train.

shunt 是动词，意思是"转移、调轨"，特别用于铁路运输中指将车厢或火车头从一条轨道转移到另一条轨道。这个词源自铁路术语，现在也用于其他需要转移或分流的场合。