I found this UP Intermodal video on Dailymotion.com a while back of a UP Intermodal in Maricopa Arizona. I think this guy was easily doing at least 70 MPH. Don’t you agree. Tell me if you think I’m wrong or right about him going 70 MPH?
Here’s the video http://www.dailymotion.com/strangiatotheme/video/x3ogi_imnlb-at-maricopa_auto
The video isn’t playing well on this antiquated computer. And I suspect that it would be possible to induce an alteration of speed into the finished product, for whatever reason.
Having said all that, though, UP does run freights at 70 m.p.h. over large portions of its system, and I’m pretty sure that Maricopa, on the Sunset Route, would be a good location for 70-mph running. System velocity is still consistently above “goal”, and has been for the past month or two (maybe with a downturn in carloadings things move faster), so I’d suspect that trains are actually able to hit 70 at times where timetables and other conditions are favorably aligned.
(Disclaimer: I’ve never been on board a 70-mph freight–60’s the fastest I’ve gone on “my” track on a freight train. But I have paced UP intermodal trains at 70, and watched them pull away when I had to slow down to the limit.)
It’s a lot harder to do 70 now with the fuel conservation rules now in place. You either have to have a small intermodal or be going on a long down grade with it. (And hope they don’t put you on the track with all the slows or right behind a slower train.) But when things fall into place, Oh what a feeling.
It’s actually possible to go past some, but not all, trucks and automobiles on US 30.
Q. What’s worse than being on a train restricted to 40 mph?
A. Being on a train that could legally run 70 mph behind the 40 mph train.
Jeff
Not easy to judge speed with the camera that close to the tracks, but he is moving right along on beautiful track. I wouldn’t say it’s not doing 70 mph.
if we knew the distance between the poles and the time its shadow crossed 4 or 5 poles…?
The only thing that makes me wonder a bit is the camera shake at the end when the train isn’t there. It’s awful quick when compared to other videos I’ve seen. That is unless it’s windy.
If it was doing 70mph…wow. It would be exciting to watch and behold live!
Now that you guys mention it, he probably wasn’t doing 70. I got to thinking about the initial buffeting one receives while standing that close to a 70-mph train, and the camera didn’t move too much when it hit. Trust me–it can be a tripod-blowing experience!
Dan, you’ll just have to bring yourself and your bride to northern Illinois. As Jeff said, they may not hit 70 so much any more, but we can still put on a pretty good show between Elmhurst and Rochelle!
From reading this thread it sounds to me like 70mph may be the effective maximum speed for freight in the US. Would railroads allow operations up to 79mph (assuming appropriate track conditions and signalling) if it made sense economically?
Edit: I neglected to note the negative effect on capacity that running trains at different speeds can cause. Once you factor that in I’m assuming the deck is stacked pretty heavily against running any faster than 70mph.
–Reed
Is it true that coal trains are restricted to 40? I have heard this before but it is hard for me to believe.
And another question - Does much cheaper fuel these days mean relaxed fuel conservation rules??
No, coal trains in general are not restricted to 40 mph. I’ve been on many coal trains traveling 50 mph. Some subdivisions or districts may be limited to 40, but that would more than likely be in effect for all trains.
Coal trains aren’t restricted to 40 mph because they are coal trains. Most freight cars of all types are at least good for 50 mph, some of course up to 70 mph. There are cars that have restrictions under 50 mph due to their type or it they are loaded or empty. Although there are some coal hoppers restricted to 40 usually a 40 mph train is a manifest.
Jeff
The speed restrictions on loaded unit trains is usually because they can’t stop!
Thanks for the reply’s guys.
I had the understanding that UP freight trains (of all kinds but coal) are allowed to be in full throttle until they reach 50mph. From there on they aren’t supposed to be above notch 5. I thought that for coal trains that max full throttle speed was 40, than notch 5. So I guess I am wrong? Am I correct at all here?
Thanks again
Get out your calculator and count the number of cars. I’m not sure of the length of each car, but somebody does. It should be easy math for you college kids.
Mostly correct. Certain subs are allowed to run loaded coal trains at 50 mph. Things can always be modified by track bulletin if conditions warrant.