I will probably open up a can of worms by asking this question but on general terms what is the speed limit, firstly in yard limits and secondly on main lines?? I have seen video of one of the U.P multi-track lines somewhere out west, where coal trains of several hundred tons seem to be hurtling along but this is surely an exception to the rule. Does each RR set its own limits or are they set by national standards?? Thankyou CPPedler
FRA track standards and type or lack of signal systems dictate the maximum speed of a line. Generally a main track not equipped with block signals (dark territory) has an allowed maximum speed of 49 mph for freight, 59 mph for passenger. A main track with some kind of signal system, ABS or CTC is good for 79 mph. Some type of cab signalling or automatic train stop feature raises the speed over the 80 mph. All of this assumes the track structure is maintained to allow the various speeds.
For individual train speeds things that come into play are the type and construction of individual cars. Other factors are if the car is loaded, tons per operative brake for the train and extreme weather conditions. These are more left for the individual railroads to decide. You could have a main track that is allowed 70 mph, but other conditions might limit an individual train to 40 mph.
On the UP, the top speed of a loaded coal train (or a train that has even one car loaded with coal) is 50 mph. That same train empty may be allowed 60 mph. Depends on the cars.
Maximum speed thru yard limits depends, could be 70 mph or restricted speed. If the main track is signalled, and the signals are better than an Approach (yellow) the maximum track speed is allowed. If the approach train gets an Approach, then it must go thru yard limits at restricted speed. If the main track is unsignalled, maximum speed in yard limits is Restricted Speed. More urban areas may have a reduced main track speed, but it is other conditons, not the yard limit itself causing that reduced speed.
One thing to remember about yard limits. They are only on the main track(s). Sidings, leads, yard tracks etc, are governed by other than main track rules. Yard limits can be found at places normally not thought of as yards. Some entire branch lines are operated un
On the MP Main Ive observed 5 mph slow orders on one track while the other track is filled with MOW with personel working feet or inches away from the slowly moving train constantly hooting the horn.
Other times Ive seen UP Pax Trains or DOD trains hurtling down those rails at what I estimate to be about 75. Most of the time 25-40 mph average.
In the yard? I would say dead slow with the engine and train in control at all times. Personally I dont go to yards (Much… maybe once a year and always away from the tracks) but the one thing I worry about in yards is a departing train. They may start off at 5 mph by the time the end of train gets to you those wheels are thumping away at a ever increasing speed of some 25 mph and up.
Yes there are speed limits.
Now there are speed limits on our interstates but are totally ignored at least 15-30 mph above and beyond by people late to work and cannot be bothered to lose even more time to obey something as punitive as a speed sign.
Out side of the yards the speed limit is dependent on the condition of the track, with different classes of track having different speed limits. Generally, on most main lines with the track in excellent condition the maximum speed limit is 79 MPH with some track being rated higher, such as the North East corridor where Amtrak runs the Acela and other High Speed trains, also in the Puget Sound-Seattle area where the Sounder and the Cascades run, there is some 90 MPH track. I’m sure that there are other areas around the country also with higher speed limits, that I am not familiar with. I’m sure that others can give you more info on the specifics of what defines the different classifications of track classes and what speed is allowed on each.
Doug
I got a phone call while typing, I see that you already have some better answers than mine.[:D]
Doug
I recently acquired some track charts of certain sections of/by the Espee. They show speed limits as well as track schmatics, curve radius, culvert/bridge locations, rail weight, ballast type, grade, and so on and so forth. Very informative!
Mark
Coal trains going 50 MPH or so aren’t uncommon on BNSF in my area (St.Paul MN suburbs). Keep in mind too that many yards have ‘bypass’ mainline tracks for trains that aren’t going to stop at that yard, speeds on those tracks would be much faster than inside the yard tracks themselves.
Let’s say that the Corridor with Amtrak is so fast that you have to put eyeballs on that train it comes up to you silent with sufficient speed. I recall regular reports of “Jaywalkers” getting slaughtered on the track because they got caught 4 steps from safety trying to cross.
Not as fast as a 737 past Vn1 and hurtling towards the last 1/3 of the runway between flight and ground trying to finish Vn2 and rotate.
Interesting that not mentioned was areas of turnouts, street running, and also bridges. These will also have speed restrictions anywhere from 5 to 10 or 15 mph. Also a lot depends on the era. Because of the pounding of the drivers many bridges had a 10 mph limit for steam engines. I remember when I was a kid (a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away) that it took about 20 minutes for a passenger train to crawl across the Fraser River Bridge to New Westminster, BC. jc5729 John Colley, Port Townsend, WA
The only place you will find 5 mph speed permanent speed restriction on a modern railroad is in engine facilities. They won’t be on a main track. The slowest you will have on a main track is 10 mph. The speed in the yards is that will permit stopping short of /within half the range of vision of (depending on the era you are modeling) obstructions or equipment not exceeding some low speed (which varies from 10 to 20 mph) depending on the era and railroad.
Dave H.