posted
Well, Amtrak has many routes, so getting an average speed would probably be difficult. What you could do is get the train schedules, look at how many miles the train travels, and how long it takes to travel that distance. Then you could find out the average speed, remembering to subtract the time spent at stations.
Posts: 553 | From: Flagstaff, AZ USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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posted
yes, it is hard to get an answer. In general, I believe it is around 40 to 48 mph. Some of the faster trains on the system are: Southwest Chief (L.A. to Chicago) Paific Surfliners (L.A. to San Diego section) San Joaquins (Bakersfield to Oakland) The "Silver Trains" (New York to Florida) and of course, the Northeast Corridor trains (D.C. to Boston)
Some of the slower trains are: Coast Starlight (L.A. to Seattle) Cardinal (D.C. to Chicago) Adirondack (New York to Montreal) - I believe this is Amtrak's slowest train of all, I think its 38 mph.
posted
This raises another question in my mind. What is the top speed of current Amtrak trains under ideal conditions? I know most areas the speed limit is 79 MPH, with a few areas where they can go 90. But what is the actual speed they are capable of if the tracks were in top shape?
I ask because I know that many trains in the 1940s could easily go 110 MPH. The Burlington Zephyr, the original "streamliner", set a speed record of about 135 MPH during a demonstration run in the 1930s.
But those were single-level trains. I imagine Superliners would probably not be able to go that fast, but I suspect Talgos can.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
posted
Very interesting question, probably no more than 100 mph. But some of the old f40's were capable of about 110 (on the NE corridor New Haven to Boston). Some of the dash-8's I believe are 103 mph. I dont know the top speed of the new AMD-103's.
The California Cars were designed for 125 mph, but as I know, no diesel can go that fast. And of course the Amfleets were designed for 125 (in the NE corridor).
Superlineres could probably reach 100-110 mph.
Some of the Heritage cars are for 110 mph (NE corridor portion of the long distance trains out of New York - Silver trains, crescent, etc).
posted
Sorry to contradict you, our diesel High Speed Trains in Britain do 125mph in service. One got up to somewhere near 140mph I believe on a test run. And most are over 25 years old now.
As for electric trains, well if our prime minister decided to visit Britain for more than a couple of days, then perhaps we would have had 186mph trains several years ago. (We're promised them soon, but only for Channel Tunnel trains).
I've decided that Amtrak trains spend more time doing under 25mph in yard and city limits than they do at line speed in the open countryside. Whether that is true or not, I don't know, but it sure feels like it!
Geoff M.
Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
Train speeds in this country are not often governed by the potential of the vehicle, or at times the track conditions. Most often, the maximum speed for a passenger on a given portion of freight track is set by the level of signaling. An NTSB- and FRA- enforced mandate states that no train in this country can operate as speeds exceeding 80 miles per hour if the track signaling and cab signals are not equipped with a passive train control system. In this way, the "nationwide" 79 mile per hour limit is born. On portions of track with this feature, the track condition then comes into play. The Chief's 90 limit is born. In places with minimal grade crossings and PTC and a higher track classification, 110 is allowed. I believe portions of the Michigan and Milwaukee corridors meet this standard. Also, in the Empire Corridor south of Albany, where Amtrak owns and maintains the track and signals, current track speed is at least 90, if not 110. Plans for Turboliner usage of this segment at 125 are subject to countless manufacturing (SuperSteel, ANY TIME, Einstein!) and NYS budgeting delays. Locomotives can only go as fast as their gearing allows. Yes, F40s are geared for 110, as are the lower-horsepower 12 cylinder P32AC-DM dual mode diesels operating on the Empire corridor (700-717 except for whichever ones have blown motors, they're not moving anywhere). The P42s (road #1-207) also share this gearing. Over the last few summers, I enjoyed hearing repeated stories of the remaining LaGrange class of 1976 (203, 206, 207, 210) bypassing the younger units and running 100-110 out of New Haven. I assure you my (older) 207 is bored to tears right now at the Grove. rms, you answered your own question about the P40s ("I dont know the top speed of the new AMD-103's.") AMD-103 stands for AMtrak Diesel, 103 mph gearing. I'm pretty sure the ex-Pepsi Dash-8s share this lower gearing. Remember, they're converted freight engines. As of 1987, Heritage equipment had a 90 mile per hour speed restriction nationwide. This is probably out of date. Amfleet cars, no matter how much people complain about their ride quality, are cleared for 125, with rumored extension to 135 on the meticulously-maintained NEC. As long as the CalCars can hit 125 as you suggest, the Superliners should be able to handle that speed. Just don't do any hard or sudden cornering. Same principles, and the same trucks if I'm not mistaken.
Yeah, well in Britain they actually subsidize the stuff, not to mention getting out of the automobile and using it.
------------------ F40PH #757099-8 March 29, 1976-November 18, 2001 P42DC #53063 November 18, 2001-???
posted
Subsidised in Britain? The average European subsidy is over 10 times the British subsidy. Some services aren't subsidised at all, mainly long distance services.
Geoff M.
Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
When built, the original Superliners were designed for a 100 mph maximum speed (this from a article in TRAINS some years ago), but of course there is really nowhere in the country they can attain better than 90 (also still the speed limit for all Heritage equipment, so far as I know).
For years, 3 hour NY-D.C. Metroliners averaged only about 75 whilst having 125 mph speed limits. So, theoritically an F40 with heritage cars running nonstop could match that schedule (In practice it couldn't, of course, due to speed restrictions, other traffic, etc. - but you get the idea).
I have a letter from Amtrak (way back in the mid-80's) which states Amtrak is working toward a goal of 60 mph average speeds for all long-distance trains. If this were true for today's Sunset Limited, the running time could be reduced by approximately 24 hours!
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