Speed limit signs on the railroads

[railfan619]

Now I could be wrong about this but. On the Cp line / Amtrak line that leads out of milwaukee right pasted the waterford ave crossing there is a sign saying 79/55 or something like that does represent a speed limit or how does that work. I have always wondered that but i really never have figured it out. Thanks to anyone that reply's .

[CShaveRR]

You've got it--passenger trains 79, freight trains 55.  Don't know if this is a restriction (on the UP, maximum speeds are in the timetable, and anything that's posted is less than maximum).  If that's the case, the maximum subdivision speed may be 60 for freights (79 is pretty much the maximum anywhere--with a few exceptions--for passenger trains any more around here).

[Murphy Siding]

     Why do I see the 79 mph mentioned a lot as the maximun speed limit for passenger trains?  Is it some sort of "standard" passenger speed limit used to rate tracks?

[nbrodar]

It has to do with the FRA track rating.  The higher the rated speed, the more often the track needs to be inspected, and the higher the maintaince requirements.  IIRC there's also a requirement for distance between signals.

Nick

[BrianLM007]

Interestingly, the speed limits are part of the U.S. Regulations...based on the information above, it sounds like this line is FRA Class 4 track.  The table below shows the basic speed limits.

[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR213.9]

[Page 98]


                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 
       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION

PART 213_TRACK SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents


                            Subpart A_General

Sec.  213.9  Classes of track: operating speed limits.


    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section and 
Sec. Sec.  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
------------------------------------------------------------------------

 (Sorry about the columns getting a bit crooked).  The requirements for each class of track is also in the CFR.  I've included a link below to 49 CFR 213 (Track Safety Standards) so that all can see them:

http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_06/49cfr213_06.html

 I know it's very dry reading, but it is the source of your answer.

Brian 

[MP57313]

Additional safety systems are required for train speeds above 79 mph.  In So Cal, some Amtrak Pacific Surfliners travel up to 90 mph on track with ATS (Automatic Train Stop), in Orange and San Diego counties.  Some portions of the Southwest Chief route on BNSF, in California and Arizona, have that speed limit also. 

IIRC the Illinois Central line that hosts the City of New Orleans used to have 90 mph speeds on some sections, but the  ATS was dismantled some years back and the speed limit was dropped to 79 or lower.

[jeaton]

Additional safety systems are required for train speeds above 79 mph.  In So Cal, some Amtrak Pacific Surfliners travel up to 90 mph on track with ATS (Automatic Train Stop), in Orange and San Diego counties.  Some portions of the Southwest Chief route on BNSF, in California and Arizona, have that speed limit also. 

IIRC the Illinois Central line that hosts the City of New Orleans used to have 90 mph speeds on some sections, but the  ATS was dismantled some years back and the speed limit was dropped to 79 or lower.

Actually ATS gave the IC a 99MPH limit between Champaign and DuQuion, IL

The Milwaukee Road had ATS between Watertown and Tomah, WI with 99MPH speeds.

I had a fair number of trips on both those lines when the higher speed limits were available. You knew you were covering some ground.

[jeaton]

Additional safety systems are required for train speeds above 79 mph.  In So Cal, some Amtrak Pacific Surfliners travel up to 90 mph on track with ATS (Automatic Train Stop), in Orange and San Diego counties.  Some portions of the Southwest Chief route on BNSF, in California and Arizona, have that speed limit also. 

IIRC the Illinois Central line that hosts the City of New Orleans used to have 90 mph speeds on some sections, but the  ATS was dismantled some years back and the speed limit was dropped to 79 or lower.

Actually ATS gave the IC a 99MPH limit between Champaign and DuQuion, IL

The Milwaukee Road had ATS between Watertown and Tomah, WI with 99MPH speeds.

I had a fair number of trips on both those lines when the higher speed limits were available. You knew you were covering some ground.

[jimrice4449]

Actually the psgr speed restrictions date to an ICC ruling ca. 1947 or so in response to some serious wrecks on the CB&Q, LIRR and PRR.   Dark track 60MPH, ABS 79, and 99 for track w/ some system of automatic train stop.   Interestingly enough one of the wrecks on the Q (Downers Grove involving the PM Twin Zephyr?) had nothing to do w/ signals.  A tractor fell off of a frt on an adjacent track and derailed the the lighter-than-most psgr cars.

[spokyone]

 What is the speed limit for the Lake Shore Limited in Upstate New York?

[WSOR 3801]

That sign is the start of the 79-55 area.  Once the rear of the train clears, highball.  On the CP, lower speed signs are posted 1 mile before the restriction begins. 

[tree68]

 What is the speed limit for the Lake Shore Limited in Upstate New York?

79 would be a safe bet.  I do believe the freights run in the 60 mph range unless otherwise restricted.

[Kevin C. Smith]

 What is the speed limit for the Lake Shore Limited in Upstate New York?

Judging by its OT performance, I'd guess 30-35MPH...

[tabeckett]

The speed on the CSX Chicago Line for the Lake Shore is mostly 79 with some restrictions. There is a stretch between Albany and Schenectady that is, if I recall, 110 or 125, as well as a section between Poughkeepsie and Albany that is also rated that fast. I remember riding there and clocking the train past the mileposts along the Hudson at about 95 MPH