How fast to passenger trains go? Like amtrak, etc.?

Question

How fast to passenger trains go? Like amtrak, etc.?

Answer 1

Amtrak varies a fair bit - 70, 79, 90, 110, 125 and 150 miles per hour.  (American railroads NEVER use kilometers.)

Most Amtrak routes use borrowed freight railroads, and there they are dependent on the freight railroad to set speeds.  Most freight railroads allow Amtrak the legal maximum of 79 mph.  Southern Pacific (which hated passenger trains) limited Amtrak to 70 mph, but that may have been lifted since the Union Pacific merger.

Why 79?  Because of block signals. By law (49 CFR 236.0), to go 60 mph, the railroad must have block signals to prevent collision of trains.  Nearly all lines used by Amtrak have block signals.    But to go 80 mph, there must be "automatic train stop" if a signal is missed or ignored.  Most freight railroads don't have it, because they feel missed-signal collisions don't happen often enough to justify the cost.  So, Amtrak is 79 mph on most freight railroads.

The Santa Fe lines from Chicago-L.A. and L.A. to San Diego are equipped with train stop, so the Southwest Chief and San Diegans run 90 mph.  

Why 90?  Maximum speed for track is determined by 49 CFR 213, track standards.  It's based on the quality and geometry of the track.

All of Amtrak's own lines are wired for train stop, and maintained to a higher standard.  Their miscellaneous lines are 110 mph.  That includes NYC-Albany-Schenectady, Kalamazoo-Porter IN, Philadelphia-Harrisburg.

The Northeast Corridor (Boston-Washington) has track rated for 150 mph.  Trains are limited by the abilities of their equipment, though; 105 for older equipment, 125 for modern cars, and 150 for the Acelas.

In the 1960s, while the Pennsylvania R.R. was designing the 125mph Metroliner on *its* Northeast Corridor, Canada was designing the 125mph LRC tilt-train for Toronto-Montreal service on existing rails.  The LRC still runs, but at 100 mph.  

Overseas, many European countries have 125mph rail - Germany's ICE, Sweden's X2000, Canada's LRC (built in the 1960s and now scrapped) Britrail's Intercity 125, etc.  

The Japanese Shinkansen "Bullet trains" started at 130 mph (210 kph) and have increased dramatically since, now neck and neck with the French TGV for the title of world's fastest in-service passenger trains.  Both have top speeds of 168-186 mph (270-300 kph) depending on the particular equipment and route.

Answer 2

Unless I'm mistaken, anywhere up 125 MPH for Amtrak, depending on conditions, such as track speed, signal spacing, kind of equipment, cab signals, etc.

Answer 3

Mr. HOGHEAD has summed it up well.

On the Northeast Corridor, with ACSES cab signals and proper track structure and maintenance, the Acela is allowed to operate on some trackage at 150mph. Regional trains with Amfleet equipment is restricted to 125mph maximum, while trains with Heritage, Viewliner, or Superliner equipment is restricted to 110mph max. (regardless of track or signal speed).

There are many variables (as mentioned in the previous answer) that take into consideration the track, signalling, and equipment. Without proper cab signals and blocking (signal blocks), trains are limited by the FRA to 79mph. That will in most cases be the maximum speed you'll see Amtrak going outside the Corridor, with a few exceptions.

Answer 4

I just read the newspaper that the French TGV train set a new record of over 330 mph, but that was just a test run.  They usually do not go above 186 mph.