56:
25:
238:
123:
213:(PTC) to be implemented nationwide by 2015. After multiple deadline extensions, on December 29, 2020 PTC technology was announced by the FRA to be in operation on all required freight and passenger railroad route miles. While a primary goal of PTC is to prevent collisions, it also fulfills the FRA requirements for increased speeds in some cases. Several competing PTC technologies are used in different regions of the country.
991:
222:
778:" which acts to overturn the train. To compensate for this force, the track is superelevated (the outer rail is raised higher than the inner rail). The speed at which the centrifugal force is perfectly offset by the tilt of the track is known as the balancing speed. Maximum speed can be found using the following formula, which provides an allowance for trains to operate above the balancing speed:
1072:"United States Code of Federal regulations Title 49 - transportation, subtitle b - other regulations relating to transportation, chapter ii - federal railroad administration, department of transportation, part 236 - rules, standards, and instructions governing the installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair of signal and train control systems, devices, and appliances"
194:, freight trains operating in enhanced-speed corridors have been required to have locomotive speed limiters to forcibly slow trains rather than simply alerting the operator with in-cab signals. The signal panel in the Maryland crash had been partially disabled, with a muted whistle and a missing light bulb.
1007:
operate with even higher unbalanced superelevation, by dynamically shifting the weight of the train. The actual overturning speed of a train is much higher than the limits set by the speed formula, which is largely in place for passenger comfort. There is no hard maximum unbalanced superelevation
998:
Normally, passenger trains run above the balancing speed, and the difference between the balancing superelevation for the speed and curvature and the actual superelevation on the curve is known as unbalanced superelevation. Track superelevation is usually limited to 6 inches (150 mm), and is
1015:
of the wheels. Allowance has to be made for the different speeds of trains. Slower trains will tend to make flange contact with the inner rail on curves, while faster trains will tend to ride outwards and make contact with the outer rail. Either contact causes
999:
often lower on routes with slow heavy freight trains in order to reduce wear on the inner rail. Allowed unbalanced superelevation in the U.S. is restricted to 3 inches (76 mm), though 6 inches (152 mm) is permissible by waiver.
854:
156:
limit the speed of trains with respect to the signaling method used. Passenger trains are limited to 59 mph (95 km/h) and freight trains to 49 mph (79 km/h) on track without
1468:
1020:
and may lead to derailment if speeds and superelevation are not within the permitted limits. Many high-speed lines do not permit the use of slower freight trains, particularly with heavier
276:
has developed a system of classification for track quality. The class of a section of track determines the maximum possible running speed limits and the ability to run passenger trains.
1261:"Federal Railroad Administration - Track and Rail and Infrastructure - Integrity Compliance Manual, Federal Railroad Administration Track Safety Standards Compliance Manual, Chapter 6"
1071:
694:
can operate at up to 90 mph (145 km/h). This is gradually being reduced as the train stop system is retired, but freight trains over 60 mph still require class 5 track.
1232:"Federal Railroad Administration - Track and Rail and Infrastructure Integrity Compliance Manual : Volume II - Chapter 1 - Track Safety Standards - Classes 1 through 5"
1545:
1490:
981:
1461:
920:
887:
942:
1339:
1550:
1454:
1008:
for
European railways, some of which have curves with over 11 inches (280 mm) of unbalanced superelevation to permit high-speed transportation.
1346:
187:
1011:
The allowed unbalanced superelevation will cause trains to run with normal flange contact. The points of wheel-rail contact are influenced by the
336:
Branch lines, secondary main lines, many regional railroads, and some tourist operations frequently fall into this class. Examples include the
682:
Class 5 track is operated by freight railroads where freight train speeds are over 60 mph (97 km/h). On parts of the BNSF Railway's
1152:
730:
1118:
1540:
1192:
1486:
1091:
784:
95:
78:. Railroads also implement their own limits and enforce speed limits. Speed restrictions are based on a number of factors including
1184:
273:
198:
153:
75:
1512:
179:
579:
484:
191:
1231:
613:
337:
178:
system "may not exceed 79 mph (127 km/h)." The order was issued in 1947 (effective
December 31, 1951) by the
1260:
1295:
1518:
1368:
1168:
1042:
742:
631:
524:
421:
387:
353:
183:
543:
409:
206:
383:
175:
660:
and they may only run at speeds up to 10 mph (16 km/h). Also, no more than five cars loaded with
55:
1313:
1180:
664:
may be operated within any single train. Passenger trains (in revenue service) of any type are prohibited.
520:
515:
472:
361:
349:
210:
1209:
746:
593:
495:
491:
345:
171:
64:
60:
1047:
945:
690:
mainline (historically, the old Santa Fe mainline), ATS-equipped passenger trains such as Amtrak's
538:
365:
1177:
1012:
1052:
704:
661:
575:
226:
1148:
775:
617:
548:
534:
417:
413:
83:
953:
1416:
890:
774:
Assuming a suitably maintained track, maximum track speed through curves is limited by the "
769:
357:
1024:. In some cases, the wear or friction of flange contact on curves is reduced by the use of
898:
865:
322:
Much yard, branch line, short line, and industrial spur trackage falls into this category.
1431:
1122:
691:
609:
556:
529:
1095:
38:
Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.
984:
927:
753:
560:
464:
162:
107:
91:
990:
756:
trains may operate along the
Northeast Corridor at up to 186 mph (299 km/h).
237:
122:
1534:
1017:
1000:
717:
601:
468:
456:
285:
269:
99:
87:
1446:
221:
1196:
597:
157:
994:
Track lubrication on a reverse curve in an area prone to movement due to wet beds.
687:
639:
341:
596:; 3 segments of the Northeast Corridor totaling 33.9 mi (54.6 km) in
673:
Most mainline track, especially that owned by major railroads is Class 4 track
605:
552:
202:
167:
1389:
1264:
1235:
1037:
1021:
487:
79:
1432:"Comparison of upgrades needs to recognize the difference in curve speeds"
612:
will have Class 8 trackage on its 218 mi (351 km) route between
1309:
1188:
745:
is planned to run at speeds up to 220 mph (354 km/h) and the
683:
405:
1025:
750:
734:
635:
510:
476:
103:
716:
Portions of the
Northeast Corridor are the only Class 8 trackage in
1234:. United States Government. pp. 2.1.15, 2.1.16. Archived from
225:
A 10-mile-per-hour (16 km/h) speed restriction sign along the
32:
Parts of this article (those related to track examples) need to be
1369:"Amtrak to begin running 110 mph trains from Chicago to St. Louis"
1004:
989:
749:
is planned to run at 205 mph (330 km/h). In the future,
738:
480:
439:
220:
54:
460:
1450:
849:{\displaystyle V_{max}={\sqrt {\frac {E_{a}+E_{u}}{0.0007d}}}}
232:
117:
18:
16:
Overview of rail speed limits in the United States of
America
59:
A 45-mile-per-hour (72 km/h) speed restriction sign at
1263:. United States Government. pp. 2.2.13. Archived from
133: with: any history from before 1980s. You can help by
1390:"Brightline Florida: A Model for Fast, Successful Trains"
1290:
1288:
1286:
1284:
620:, going at top speeds of 186 mph (299 km/h).
249:
134:
956:
930:
901:
868:
787:
459:'s (UP's) Geneva, Clinton, and Boone subdivisions in
1094:. Trains Magazine. December 23, 2008. Archived from
922:
is the amount in inches of unbalanced superelevation
1505:
1169:
975:
936:
914:
881:
848:
1338:AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (September 2022).
889:is the amount in inches that the outside rail is
1259:Federal Railroad Administration (2014-01-05).
1230:Federal Railroad Administration (2014-01-06).
656:Only freight trains are allowed to operate on
442:; and New England Central’s entire main line.
1462:
1212:. Federal Railroad Administration. 2021-09-09
604:and an additional 16 mi (26 km) in
8:
1411:
1409:
471:; UP’s main line between Council Bluffs and
720:allowing for 135 mph (217 km/h)
1469:
1455:
1447:
1167:U.S. Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008,
961:
955:
929:
906:
900:
873:
867:
828:
815:
807:
792:
786:
188:Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
1546:Rail infrastructure in the United States
1347:Connecticut Department of Transportation
741:trains at 165 mph (266 km/h).
627:
589:
570:
505:
278:
1340:Connecticut State Rail Plan (2022-2026)
1063:
649:
1143:John Gruber and Brian Solomon (2006).
737:is currently undertaking test runs on
96:road speed limits in the United States
72:Rail speed limits in the United States
1384:
1382:
7:
948:in degrees per 100 feet (30 m)
463:between East Missouri Valley (near
1174:Tooltip Public Law (United States)
416:’s Wisconsin Central line between
184:1946 crash in Naperville, Illinois
14:
1551:United States railroad regulation
1477:Speed limits in the United States
893:above the inside rail on a curve
236:
166:.) Trains without "an automatic
121:
23:
1319:(Report). pp. A–32 to A–34
1117:William Wendt (July 30, 2007).
1092:"Ask Trains from November 2008"
733:in the United States, although
274:Federal Railroad Administration
199:2008 Chatsworth train collision
76:Federal Railroad Administration
1210:"Positive Train Control (PTC)"
1145:The Milwaukee Road's Hiawathas
1121:. Yahoo Groups. Archived from
729:There is currently no Class 9
467:) to the Illinois border near
301:<10 mph (16 km/h)
180:Interstate Commerce Commission
1:
580:Orlando International Airport
192:1987 Maryland train collision
628:220 mph (354 km/h)
614:Rancho Cucamonga, California
590:160 mph (257 km/h)
571:125 mph (201 km/h)
506:110 mph (177 km/h)
382:miles (7.2 km) between
338:Burlington Northern Santa Fe
453:90 mph (145 km/h)
450:80 mph (129 km/h)
435:80 mph (129 km/h)
352:’s 18-mile (29 km) ex-
1567:
1519:National Maximum Speed Law
1043:Rail regulations in Canada
767:
743:California High-Speed Rail
632:California High-Speed Rail
525:Springfield, Massachusetts
432:60 mph (97 km/h)
422:Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
401:60 mph (97 km/h)
398:40 mph (64 km/h)
388:Leaman Place, Pennsylvania
333:30 mph (48 km/h)
330:25 mph (40 km/h)
319:15 mph (24 km/h)
316:10 mph (16 km/h)
1541:Rail transport operations
1482:
578:; and Brightline between
354:Southern Pacific Railroad
1394:High Speed Rail Alliance
1119:"Hiawatha dieselization"
410:Kettle Falls, Washington
1417:"Track Classifications"
1296:"Track Classifications"
976:{\displaystyle V_{max}}
541:; portions of Amtrak's
190:trains. Following the
176:automatic train control
1430:Zierke, Hans-Joachim.
1199:. Approved 2008-10-16.
995:
977:
938:
916:
883:
850:
521:New Haven, Connecticut
473:North Platte, Nebraska
362:St. Helena, California
350:Napa Valley Wine Train
230:
211:positive train control
209:was enacted requiring
90:, and the presence of
68:
993:
978:
939:
917:
915:{\displaystyle E_{u}}
884:
882:{\displaystyle E_{a}}
851:
747:Texas Central Railway
707:has Class 7 trackage.
594:Texas Central Railway
496:San Diego, California
346:Madison, South Dakota
224:
74:are regulated by the
58:
1314:Iowa State Rail Plan
954:
928:
899:
866:
785:
547:between Chicago and
172:automatic train stop
65:Port Chester station
61:Metro-North Railroad
1048:Railroad operations
946:degree of curvature
539:St. Louis, Missouri
527:; most of Amtrak's
366:Strasburg Rail Road
340:(BNSF) branch from
182:following a severe
98:, speed limits for
1147:. Voyageur Press.
1053:Railway signalling
996:
973:
934:
912:
879:
846:
705:Northeast Corridor
662:hazardous material
576:Northeast Corridor
248:. You can help by
231:
154:Federal regulators
69:
1528:
1527:
1506:National Mandates
1312:(November 2021).
1298:. 26 August 2019.
1154:978-0-7603-2395-3
937:{\displaystyle d}
844:
843:
776:centrifugal force
703:Some of Amtrak's
646:
645:
618:Las Vegas, Nevada
574:Most of Amtrak's
549:Pontiac, Michigan
535:Chicago, Illinois
418:Neenah, Wisconsin
414:Canadian National
364:; and the entire
266:
265:
151:
150:
53:
52:
1558:
1471:
1464:
1457:
1448:
1442:
1441:
1439:
1438:
1427:
1421:
1420:
1413:
1404:
1403:
1401:
1400:
1386:
1377:
1376:
1365:
1359:
1358:
1356:
1354:
1344:
1335:
1329:
1328:
1326:
1324:
1318:
1306:
1300:
1299:
1292:
1279:
1278:
1276:
1275:
1269:
1256:
1250:
1249:
1247:
1246:
1240:
1227:
1221:
1220:
1218:
1217:
1206:
1200:
1175:
1171:
1165:
1159:
1158:
1140:
1134:
1133:
1131:
1130:
1114:
1108:
1107:
1105:
1103:
1088:
1082:
1081:
1079:
1078:
1068:
982:
980:
979:
974:
972:
971:
943:
941:
940:
935:
921:
919:
918:
913:
911:
910:
888:
886:
885:
880:
878:
877:
855:
853:
852:
847:
845:
842:
834:
833:
832:
820:
819:
809:
808:
803:
802:
770:Cant (road/rail)
757:
727:
721:
714:
708:
701:
695:
680:
674:
671:
665:
654:
381:
380:
376:
373:
279:
261:
258:
240:
233:
146:
143:
125:
118:
106:are measured in
48:
45:
39:
27:
26:
19:
1566:
1565:
1561:
1560:
1559:
1557:
1556:
1555:
1531:
1530:
1529:
1524:
1501:
1491:by jurisdiction
1478:
1475:
1445:
1436:
1434:
1429:
1428:
1424:
1415:
1414:
1407:
1398:
1396:
1388:
1387:
1380:
1375:. 26 June 2023.
1367:
1366:
1362:
1352:
1350:
1342:
1337:
1336:
1332:
1322:
1320:
1316:
1308:
1307:
1303:
1294:
1293:
1282:
1273:
1271:
1267:
1258:
1257:
1253:
1244:
1242:
1238:
1229:
1228:
1224:
1215:
1213:
1208:
1207:
1203:
1173:
1166:
1162:
1155:
1142:
1141:
1137:
1128:
1126:
1116:
1115:
1111:
1101:
1099:
1090:
1089:
1085:
1076:
1074:
1070:
1069:
1065:
1061:
1034:
957:
952:
951:
926:
925:
902:
897:
896:
869:
864:
863:
835:
824:
811:
810:
788:
783:
782:
772:
766:
761:
760:
731:high-speed rail
728:
724:
715:
711:
702:
698:
692:Southwest Chief
681:
677:
672:
668:
655:
651:
610:Brightline West
582:and Cocoa, FL.
557:West Palm Beach
530:Lincoln Service
378:
374:
371:
369:
262:
256:
253:
246:needs expansion
219:
147:
141:
138:
131:needs expansion
116:
92:grade crossings
88:track condition
49:
43:
40:
37:
28:
24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1564:
1562:
1554:
1553:
1548:
1543:
1533:
1532:
1526:
1525:
1523:
1522:
1516:
1509:
1507:
1503:
1502:
1500:
1499:
1494:
1483:
1480:
1479:
1476:
1474:
1473:
1466:
1459:
1451:
1444:
1443:
1422:
1405:
1378:
1360:
1330:
1301:
1280:
1251:
1222:
1201:
1193:49 U.S.C.
1178:110–432 (text)
1160:
1153:
1135:
1109:
1083:
1062:
1060:
1057:
1056:
1055:
1050:
1045:
1040:
1033:
1030:
1001:Tilting trains
988:
987:
985:miles per hour
970:
967:
964:
960:
949:
933:
923:
909:
905:
894:
876:
872:
857:
856:
841:
838:
831:
827:
823:
818:
814:
806:
801:
798:
795:
791:
768:Main article:
765:
762:
759:
758:
754:Avelia Liberty
722:
709:
696:
675:
666:
658:Excepted track
648:
647:
644:
643:
629:
626:
622:
621:
591:
588:
584:
583:
572:
569:
565:
564:
561:Cocoa, Florida
507:
504:
500:
499:
465:Council Bluffs
454:
451:
448:
444:
443:
436:
433:
430:
426:
425:
402:
399:
396:
392:
391:
334:
331:
328:
324:
323:
320:
317:
314:
310:
309:
307:
302:
299:
295:
294:
291:
288:
283:
264:
263:
243:
241:
218:
215:
197:Following the
186:involving two
163:dark territory
160:systems. (See
149:
148:
128:
126:
115:
112:
108:miles per hour
51:
50:
31:
29:
22:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1563:
1552:
1549:
1547:
1544:
1542:
1539:
1538:
1536:
1520:
1517:
1514:
1511:
1510:
1508:
1504:
1498:
1495:
1492:
1488:
1485:
1484:
1481:
1472:
1467:
1465:
1460:
1458:
1453:
1452:
1449:
1433:
1426:
1423:
1418:
1412:
1410:
1406:
1395:
1391:
1385:
1383:
1379:
1374:
1370:
1364:
1361:
1349:. p. 2–6
1348:
1341:
1334:
1331:
1315:
1311:
1305:
1302:
1297:
1291:
1289:
1287:
1285:
1281:
1270:on 2016-12-25
1266:
1262:
1255:
1252:
1241:on 2016-12-25
1237:
1233:
1226:
1223:
1211:
1205:
1202:
1198:
1194:
1190:
1186:
1182:
1179:
1172:
1164:
1161:
1156:
1150:
1146:
1139:
1136:
1125:on 2012-11-03
1124:
1120:
1113:
1110:
1098:on 2010-06-24
1097:
1093:
1087:
1084:
1073:
1067:
1064:
1058:
1054:
1051:
1049:
1046:
1044:
1041:
1039:
1036:
1035:
1031:
1029:
1028:lubrication.
1027:
1023:
1019:
1018:wear and tear
1014:
1009:
1006:
1002:
992:
986:
968:
965:
962:
958:
950:
947:
931:
924:
907:
903:
895:
892:
891:superelevated
874:
870:
862:
861:
860:
839:
836:
829:
825:
821:
816:
812:
804:
799:
796:
793:
789:
781:
780:
779:
777:
771:
763:
755:
752:
748:
744:
740:
736:
732:
726:
723:
719:
718:North America
713:
710:
706:
700:
697:
693:
689:
685:
679:
676:
670:
667:
663:
659:
653:
650:
641:
637:
633:
630:
624:
623:
619:
615:
611:
607:
603:
602:Massachusetts
599:
595:
592:
586:
585:
581:
577:
573:
567:
566:
562:
558:
554:
550:
546:
545:
540:
536:
532:
531:
526:
522:
518:
517:
516:Hartford Line
512:
508:
502:
501:
497:
493:
489:
486:
482:
478:
474:
470:
466:
462:
458:
457:Union Pacific
455:
452:
449:
446:
445:
441:
437:
434:
431:
428:
427:
423:
419:
415:
411:
407:
404:BNSF between
403:
400:
397:
394:
393:
389:
385:
367:
363:
359:
356:line between
355:
351:
347:
343:
339:
335:
332:
329:
326:
325:
321:
318:
315:
312:
311:
308:
306:
303:
300:
297:
296:
292:
289:
287:
286:Freight train
284:
281:
280:
277:
275:
271:
270:United States
260:
251:
247:
244:This section
242:
239:
235:
234:
228:
223:
217:Track classes
216:
214:
212:
208:
204:
200:
195:
193:
189:
185:
181:
177:
173:
169:
165:
164:
159:
155:
145:
136:
132:
129:This section
127:
124:
120:
119:
114:Signal speeds
113:
111:
109:
105:
101:
97:
93:
89:
85:
81:
77:
73:
66:
62:
57:
47:
35:
30:
21:
20:
1513:World War II
1496:
1435:. Retrieved
1425:
1397:. Retrieved
1393:
1372:
1363:
1351:. Retrieved
1333:
1321:. Retrieved
1304:
1272:. Retrieved
1265:the original
1254:
1243:. Retrieved
1236:the original
1225:
1214:. Retrieved
1204:
1197:§ 20101
1163:
1144:
1138:
1127:. Retrieved
1123:the original
1112:
1102:December 29,
1100:. Retrieved
1096:the original
1086:
1075:. Retrieved
1066:
1013:tire profile
1010:
997:
983:is given in
858:
773:
725:
712:
699:
678:
669:
657:
652:
598:Rhode Island
542:
528:
514:
304:
267:
257:January 2011
254:
250:adding to it
245:
196:
161:
158:block signal
152:
142:January 2011
139:
135:adding to it
130:
71:
70:
44:January 2015
41:
33:
1521:(1974–1995)
1515:(1942–1945)
1497:Rail Limits
1487:Road limits
1183:, 122
688:Los Angeles
640:Bakersfield
368:, spanning
342:Sioux Falls
305:not allowed
227:Chicago "L"
207:federal law
1535:Categories
1437:2008-04-10
1399:2023-12-13
1345:(Report).
1274:2016-01-05
1245:2016-01-05
1216:2022-11-30
1129:2023-12-06
1077:2013-12-04
1059:References
1022:axle loads
606:New Jersey
553:Brightline
438:Chicago’s
282:Track type
203:California
168:cab signal
1038:Slow zone
1003:like the
544:Wolverine
509:Parts of
492:Fullerton
488:Surf Line
384:Strasburg
293:Examples
290:Passenger
84:signaling
80:curvature
1373:CBS News
1353:March 6,
1323:March 6,
1310:Iowa DOT
1032:See also
634:between
555:between
533:between
519:between
490:between
298:Excepted
1170:Pub. L.
944:is the
859:where:
684:Chicago
625:Class 9
587:Class 8
568:Class 7
503:Class 6
481:SCRRA's
469:Clinton
447:Class 5
429:Class 4
406:Spokane
395:Class 3
377:⁄
327:Class 2
313:Class 1
268:In the
110:(mph).
94:. Like
34:updated
1195:
1187:
1176:
1151:
1026:flange
837:0.0007
764:Curves
751:Amtrak
735:Amtrak
636:Merced
551:; and
511:Amtrak
485:NCTD's
477:Amtrak
412:; and
272:, the
104:trains
100:tracks
1343:(PDF)
1317:(PDF)
1268:(PDF)
1239:(PDF)
1185:Stat.
1181:(PDF)
1005:Acela
739:Acela
440:Metra
1355:2024
1325:2024
1189:4848
1149:ISBN
1104:2009
638:and
616:and
559:and
537:and
523:and
494:and
483:and
461:Iowa
420:and
408:and
386:and
360:and
358:Napa
205:, a
102:and
513:’s
344:to
252:.
201:in
174:or
137:.
63:'s
1537::
1408:^
1392:.
1381:^
1371:.
1283:^
1191:,
642:.
608:;
563:.
498:.
475:;
424:.
390:.
348:;
170:,
86:,
82:,
1493:)
1489:(
1470:e
1463:t
1456:v
1440:.
1419:.
1402:.
1357:.
1327:.
1277:.
1248:.
1219:.
1157:.
1132:.
1106:.
1080:.
969:x
966:a
963:m
959:V
932:d
908:u
904:E
875:a
871:E
840:d
830:u
826:E
822:+
817:a
813:E
805:=
800:x
797:a
794:m
790:V
686:–
600:/
479:/
379:2
375:1
372:+
370:4
259:)
255:(
229:.
144:)
140:(
67:.
46:)
42:(
36:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
