What is the maximum speed allowed for loaded coal trains. Is it any different for empty coal trains? What is the maximum speed allowed for manifest and intermodal trains? Are the speed limits any different for BNSF and UP?
The System Special Instructions may state otherwise, but UP’s maximum for unit coal trains, loaded or empty, is 50 mph. (Some loads were allowed 60 at one time, but it depended on some obscure construction feature of the cars.)
The coal trains leaving out of roberts bank often hit speeds of 40MPH, doesn’t seem like that much in a car, but when you’re trackside (not too close of course), wow, they sure are whizzing by.
Many of the new hoppers/coal gondolas are rated for 60mph. Any car loaded with coal is 50mph. If an empty hopper train has all 60mph cars, we run 60 across Iowa (UP). If the consist shows a load, usually listed as “no waybill” so they don’t know it’s true status, we’re back down to 50 unless the car is verified empty, no matter the allowable top speed of the car.
To be rated 60mph the hopper has to be equipped with constant-contact side bearings or center plate extension pads.
Jeff
I was thinking the same thing. They re-did the north south tracks at the east edge of the Lincoln yard and now those loaded coal trains go by and ruffle the paint on Millie. The back half of the train is still in the yards and the headend is on down the road a piece! And yes, they do wobble - scary and thrilling at the same time!
Mookie