Re: [ihc] Re: To tell the truth

["T.R.E.Jr." <T_R_E_Jr@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

---LOL, if that still holds true, than the reason the limits were applied to
the Chocagoland area is because of the tracks being so old, in combination
with the traffic/crossings and the many sharp turns.

---You know I am still going to make that call and find out what the limits
are now... for the Chicagoland area. Cruisin' @ 100mph through Michigan
countryside, must have been cool. I could never get away with anything over
65 without getting pulled over. Were you going too fast to notice any
wildlife... well, not necessarily wildlife, but just to give you an idea of
how many buffalo can be found in Michigan
http://www.michiganbison.com/mbambrs.htm I recommend you at least try a
beefalo burger if you haven't already. Nothin' like a Buffalo tenderloin
though. Good way to change the subject eh? ;-)

---Thank you,
-T.R.E.Jr.
-`73 Scout II (StoneThrower)
-`51 Farmall H (Heinz)
-`49 IH fridge (presently unnamed and in need of a compressor)
-`49 Plymouth Special Deluxe 4-door Sedan (Papapalooza)

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "Howard R Pletcher" <n9ads@domain.elided>

<snip>
> Sorry TRE, you better stick to Scouts.
>
> Maximum freight train speeds imposed by the Government (Federal Railway
> Administration) depend upon the condition of each section of track and
> range from 10 mph up to 80 mph.  Additional speed limits are imposed by
> the railroads  depending upon type of cargo, type of cars, number of
> loaded and empty cars, and in the west, the grades involved, the number
> of engines (for dynamic braking), the actual weight of the train, and
> other factors.  On CSX for instance, a freight train may be limited to
> 30, 40, 50, or 60 mph within the limits of the FRA track speeds depending
> upon the type of cars and loads involved.
>
> For passenger trains, again the FRA sets the limits depending upon track
> condition.  A passenger train has higher limits over the same track than
> a freight train due to better suspensions on passenger equipment.
> Maximum may be 45 at some particular place, but generally the limit today
> is 79 mph on good track without in-cab signaling equipment.  In the
> Northeast Corridor, passenger trains regularly run at up to 125 mph and
> I've ridden an Amtrak train across Southern Michigan at 100 mph.
>
> But if a conductor that worked that track says the limit on a particular
> section of track was 50, he's probably right because he is responsible
> for knowing that info and seeing that it is obeyed.  And if the RR sets a
> limit, that's the law as far as the FRA is concerned as well.  It is a
> federal violation to exceed it.
>
> Howard
> Licensed Locomotive Engineer, Whitewater Valley RR
>
> Here is an excerpt from CFR, Title49 that sets the speed limits:
>
> Sec. 213.9  Classes of track: operating speed limits.
>
>     (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section and
> Secs. 213.57(b), 213.59(a), 213.113(a), and 213.137(b) and (c), the
> following maximum allowable operating speeds apply--
>
>                            [In miles per hour]
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>                                       The maximum        The maximum
>  Over track that meets all of the       allowable          allowable
>   requirements prescribed in this    operating speed    operating speed
>             part for--                 for freight       for passenger
>                                        trains is--        trains is--
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Excepted track....................                10                N/A
> Class 1 track.....................                 10                 15
> Class 2 track.....................                 25                 30
> Class 3 track.....................                 40                 60
> Class 4 track.....................                 60                 80
> Class 5 track.....................                 80                 90
>
> Everything you ever wanted to know and more about track safety standards
> can be found at
> http://frwebgate4.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=766570140
> 29+2+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve