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You want High Speed? Go back to 1935.
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[quote]QUOTE: <i>Originally posted by tree68</i> <br />In defense of HI2003 - While the difference between 100 mph and 120 mph is indeed 20 mph, throwing in starts and stops and the additional time needed for each means the difference in average speeds for a given trip at each speed won't be 20 mph. I don't know where HI2003 got the 4 mph number, but it's probably not far off the mark for at least some runs. Of course, the number of stops, and the length of the sustained maximum speed makes a difference, too. <br />[/quote] <br /> <br />You are right on with that comment. Back in the 1930's when the Pennsy was still learning how to best use its new electrification they ran two identical passenger trains on the same schedule. They wanted to see how much time could be shaved off of the schedule by allowing the locomotives to run slightly faster. So on one train the locomotive was geared for 100 MPH while the other was geared for 90 MPH. Everyone was surprised when it turned out that the locomotive geared for 100 MPH required a longer, not a shorter schedule. The reason was acceleration. The 90 MPH train could get up to speed in a reasonable time. By the time the 100 MPH train reached speed it was nearly time to start slowing for the next station.
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