anyone know how fast trains can go at top speed[}:)]
Depends on the train. I’m sure others will chime in with more specifics.
High speed rail (ICE, Bullet Trains) are well into triple digits.
Amtrak NE corridor has stretches over 100 mph. Otherwise figure 79 mph.
Your average freight mainline loco is around capable of around 70-75.
That’s what the motive power is potentially capable of. But the speed of the train is governed by the track…
ACELA EXPRESS Trains hit 150!! But those dumb Japanese trains go like 200+. I dont like that fact that they call maglev trains, TRAINS!! They are not trains, they are big ol’ magnets. Trains are steel on steel!
The French have run a special TGV at over 500 kph. which is over 300 mph.
I suppose if you have a long straight downhill section of track it’ll go as fast as you want.
No, aerodynamic drag will cause any moving vehicle to have a top speed.
For conventional trains it is estimated that 500 mph would be the maximum attainable speed using current technoology (the problem is centrifugal force on the wheels and fluidisation of the trackbed, and power collection).
Current operational top speeds of HSTs around the world is 300 - 350 km/h (186 - 220 mph)
Depends on the speed limit. As example east of Daggett CA BNSF can rip thru town at 70MPH including the grade crossing. On the NEC A/trak can do 100 or more per on some sections of track. [:D]
Well, it depends on town-town or state-state. Speeds can go from 30mphr-80mphr
For the record, the TGV only travels at 320KM/200MPH, well below your 300MPH esitmate. Yes the TGV did go 320.2MPH once, but on a special track with a empty, shorten train. 300MPH is not regularly reached by the TGV.
Come on people, it takes 15 seconds to check your figures[:(!]
There is a rocket test bed out west that has been said to achieved the speed of sound on rail. I watched this on History Channel somewhere. I believe this place also holds the record for the most precisely gauged rail.
Those Bullet trains are not dumb. If we had that kind of reliability and punctual service scheduled down to the minute all over the USA we would be really not so dependant on the auto.
But I think the Maglev has the best potential for reliable speed.
If air’s a problem, then remove the air. We’re talking top speed here, not top land speed, right?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t top speed of anything equal to speed of light in a vaccum?
I knew about the record of 300 the normal speed is around 180
Furthermore, the original wheelsets had been replaced with larger diameter samples on the engines…So it was a configuration very far from the commercial bullet trains operated on the french network…At this speed and with the needed above configuration, I’m not sure such a train is energetically valuable against air transport.
Dominique
I LOVE YOUR FACTS. TRAINS ARE RAIL TO RAIL. AND THOSE “THINGS” ARE BIG PIECES OF MAGNET ON MAGNET. MAKING IT A BUNCH OF BASUTA!!! LET US ALL BE HAPPY IN AMERICA THAT AT LEAST OUT TRAINS, ARE “TRAINS”!!!
DJIRELAN Give these guys a chance!!!
Please don’t shout at us! We’re not deaf![;)]
Dominique
What??? Why check your fiqures. After all, this is railfaning we are talking about. If you expected posters to both historically AND scientifically correct all the time, we would be down to 2 or 3 posts per day[(-D]
As far as speed, I was told once on this forum the the Big Boy could pull a 7 mile long train up Sherman Hill…at 80 MPH none the less. Let’s see that whimpy TGV do something like that!!![swg]
How about just good, plain ole’ correct info then? If you’re idea of “railfannning” is blathering any old answer, right or not, then I no longer wonder why people have a low opinion of us.[V][:(!]
And that is pure non-sense about a 7-mile train. 7 miles @ 5280ft each, divided by 40 would be 924 40’ cars from the period. That is beyond un-real.
For the record, in the US, the Acela is allowed up to 150 routinely on stretches in Mass. Regionals with standard equipment are allowed around 120 (or 125/130 max? I forgot but its between 120/130)
There are stretches of 100 (or 110?) along the Hudson on Amtrak.
Other than that, most of the US is 79 unless there are upgraded cab signals and the right track.
Individual loco top speed depends on the gearing, which each railroad determines.
300 mph - reasonably attainable?
If so, I could finally realize my dream of living in Northern Idaho but commuting to Seattle every day for work at the ol’ office.
Now THAT’S a passenger rail system I could fully support!