How fast does Amtrak trains generally travel?

Question

just wondering

Answer 1

Depends where they are.  They can run anywhere from 15 mph in restricted zones to 150 miles per hour along the Acela/Northeast Corridor route.

Answer 2

the average train goes around 70 top speed and the metroliner and aceala hit speeds on certain strechs of track up to 135

Answer 3

The Keystone line between Philly and Harrisburg is also good for 110 MPH due to being part of the NEC.



Amtrak owns most of the Northeast Corridor (NEC).  North of New Haven where the overhead wires are new, trains can hit 150 MPH for about 20 miles in RI and MA.  Metro-North owns the track between New Haven and New Rochelle and forbids Amtrak trains from tilting due to lack of clearance between the tracks.  As a consequence, Amtrak trains travel no faster than 75 MPH between those cities.  There is a 5 mile stretch in NJ where Amtrak can go 135 MPH but the overhead wires date back to the Great Depression and do not support faster travel even though the tracks are perfectly fine.  Amtrak goes 100 MPH between Baltimore and DC.

Under certain conditions, Amtrak trains outside the NEC can go 90 MPH but freight trains dominate and Amtrak can't do anything about it.  As other posters have stated, 79 MPH is the upper limit with the above exceptions.

Answer 4

Typically 60 mph and 2 hours late.

Answer 5

What is with all the wrong answers... come on people, stop guessing.  

Out in the national system they generally run 79 mph.  On the Santa Fe between LA and Chicago, and LA and San Diego, they run 90  (with some 110 on the upgraded San Diego line.)

On Amtrak-owned lines (Porter, IN-Kalamazoo MI; Schenectady NY-NYC; Harrisburg-Philly) they run 110.

On the Northeast corridor proper (Boston-Washington) they run 105-150 depending on equipment.

On one non-signaled line in New England, 59.

On detours usually 60 because they're a guest on a freight-only line, so following freight rules.

They often have local slow orders due to maintenance or rough terrain.  For instance, west of Denver are some 15 mph sections.  http://tinyurl.com/2nhbdm

But usually -- nationally 79, corridor 105-150.   mph all.

Answer 6

60-79 Mph.

Answer 7

The F.R.A have speed zone in certain areas like we have speed  limits but it is set by the grade of the rail 45mph local 60-79mph rural

Answer 8

On the North East Corridor, trains generally can travel 90mph, with sections of 100, 110, 125, 135, and a maximum of 150mph in some locations. There are many locations when it is less than 90mph as well.

Outside, the North East Corridor, there are a few spots of 110mph (Hudson Line in NY for one), with the rest being on freight railroad owned trackage, being a maximum of 79mph for passenger, but probably on average 60-70mph with slower spots in urban areas of course.