If a train is travelling over the speed limit, who gets fined? The company or the driver?

Question

If a train is travelling over the speed limit, who gets fined? The company or the driver?

Answer 1

A man in a car is speeding. Does the car company or the man get a ticket? Its the d**n man.

Answer 2

OK, now that everyone had their fun and BS'd time for a real answer....

First of all, trains in the United States cannot speed. All locomotives have speed recorders and some have event recorders and the tapes are pulled all the time and if found speeding, the engineer will get layed off for a time and have a hearing.

On top of that, many of them have over-speed warnings built in -- going more than 1-2 mph over the limit for more than a few seconds will sound and alarm and on some units even engage the brakes and stop the train in a penalty application.

Unlike the bogus info above, trains do have speed limits and they are strictly enforced. There is no fining, or tickets, first incident if the the engineer is found to have been intentionally speeding can get layed off for a month or two. Second or third he might even get fired or lose the regular job he holds demoted to yard work or something. At most, chances are his Federal Locomotive Engineer certification will be voided and he won't be behind the controls for a while if again.

The point.. Trains do NOT travel over the speed limit. Engineers are professionals and follow the rules.

They are enforced by higher-ups in the railroad (Road foreman, etc..) and by the FRA (Federal Railroad Administration)... Some railroads have inspectors out in the field, nicknamed "Weed Weasals"...

And you don't drive a train... Engineers (not drivers) operate trains.

Answer 3

no'one the speed limits are recomended

Answer 4

no one

Answer 5

OK time for the "real" answer yes a train can speed cause there are what's called track speed most of the fright speed is 50-60mph  or at lest  the lines i run on are and the avg American locomotive can do 74 before the speed indicator kicks in and puts the brakes on

Answer 6

... i will tell you that, after 2 years training the driver gets the train key.. has to do at least six months route knowledge.. will have enough knowledge of the line's he will work over, before he is let out alone, trains are fitted with black boxes, new drivers must have a driver manager riding with them several times over the first 2 years.. and they hide in the rear cabs and watch us discreetly....we would Never knowingly Speed, having such a Responsible job, sometimes with 1000 people on the train.

also TPWS is fitted at many important junction signals  which will stop the train if it is going too quick, which it wont be because of everything being recorded.. i have been a driver for 15 years.. and i have never felt so CONFIDENT as i do now.. knowing the standard of my fellow drivers AND the railway infrastructure!

Travel by Train..... Relax in Comfort and SAFETY...

PS: the Driver gets disclipined if the train  ever speeds....

Answer 7

Though it sounds like an easy question, determining the speed limit of one train or another is quite complex  The reason for this is that the speed at which trains are allowed to operate is NOT a constant, except when speaking of "track speed".

Simply put, "track speed" is determined by the engineering of the road bed, taking into account the degree of curvature, grade, weight of the rail, etc.  When speaking of the weight of the rail an example would be, let's say, 139 pound rail, which is common for most modern main line trackage.  The term "139 pound" is the weight of the rail in a three foot section, or 90 pound rail weighs 90 lbs for a three foot section, and so on.

As a result, straight track with heavy rail may easily accommodate a freight train travelling up to perhaps 70 MPH.  Conversely, tight curvature and/or lighter rail may result in a maximum speed of 20 MPH, perhaps.

In addition to the weight of the rail, the composition of the rail also plays a part in determining track speed.  In tight curves, the outside rail is probably carbon steel, which is extremely tough stuff, and can stand more wear and tear.

The next factor in determining the speed of a train (or track) is a ratio expressed as L over V, expressed as a fraction L/V.  This ratio is quite simply put as the longitudinal (horizontal) force in relation to the verticle force (the weight of the car or engine).  If the horizontal force exceeds the verticle force, the equipment is going to leave the track and ruin your whole day.  This concept is referred to as track/train dynamics,

The next thing to consider (and still referring to track speed) is the placement of temporary speed restrictions over a given length of track.  These restrictions may be employed because of defects in the roadbed or rail and the speed of trains is reduced in these areas.  Engineers are notified of these temporary restrictions when assuming duty by way of "track bulletins", which specifies the temporary speed and the location of the restriction.  The location may be expressed as from mile post 1 to mile post 4 do not exceed 10 MPH, even though the normal track speed over this distance may be any higher speed.

In addition to the track bulletins, metal "flags" are placed two miles in advance of the temporary restriction (yellow), and a green flag at the end of the restriction, at which point the train may resume normal track speed after the REAR car has passed the green flag and is clear of the restriction.

In addition to the above, trains may be restricted by tonnage to a lesser speed than posted track speed.  In determining the OPERATING speed of a train the consideration is TPOB, or tons per operative brake.  This figure is an average of the tonnage distributed along the length of a train.  For example, if you're operating a freight train of, say, 12,000 tons and there are 100 cars in the train, then the TPOB is 120 tons per car, even though the train may be mixed loads and empties.

The next thing to be taken into account is the grade on which the train is to be operated.  Any grade in excess of 1.8% is considered "heavy" grade.  There the TPOB may restrict the train's speed even further below track speed.

The next thing to be determined relative to legal speed limit is the tons per axel of dynamic brake.  Dynamic brakes are a breaking system that most locomotives are equipped with.  Simply put, when going into dynamic brake, the diesel electric locomotive's traction motors become generators that produce retarding effort.  An electric brake, if you will.  The TPOB and the TPADB are relative to each other and the different combinations are used to determine the legal speed limit.

Another variable would be specific cars in the train that may have a speed restriction on THEM, for various reasons.  In addition, the locomotives themselves may have speed restrictions on them, either as a maximum speed or damaged equipment, etc.

The next variable are the trackside signals.  As an example, if you are operating a train on a track where the track speed is 60 MPH, if the next signal you see is yellow, you must immediately reduce to 40 MPH.  Other signal aspects convey information that will also require the train's speed to be reduced for rules compliance.  These are Federal mandates.

Then there is an open-ended catch-all, called "Restricted Speed".  The definition of restricted speed is, "A speed that will permit stopping within 1/2 the range of vision, short of train, engine, railroad car, stop sign, derail or switch not properly lined, not exceeding 20 MPH, looking out for broken rail or other obstruction".  As I said, a catch-all.

Consider this, is addition.  The engineer of a train is responsible for the train's speed even if the speedometer is INOPERATIVE.  There are mile posts, you've got a watch, and you control your speed by the time it takes to travel each mile.

There are event recorders on most engines that are routinely downloaded on a "spot check" basis.  If a train is exceeding the speed limit for 2 miles or more without the engineer taking action to reduce the speed, then the engineer is considered to be intentionally "beating the time".

So the answer to your question is, the engineer is going to be disciplined for exceeding the speed.   The conductor is equally responsible for the observance of speed restrictions. The penalty, depending on the severity of the offense, can range anywhere from an oral admonishment to losing one's license to termination of employment.  Should the speed violation result in a derailment that in turn kills someone, the engineer can expect to be indicted for manslaughter.

Trains are nothing to be s******g around with, and speed control is vital.  During my 35 year career as a locomotive engineer I did serve for two years as Road Foreman of Engines, but we weren't referred to as "weed weasels".  In this part of the country we were referred to as "bush bunnies", and other names that I'll not print, lest I violate community standards. Does this answer your question?

Answer 8

they cant go over the speed limit

Answer 9

The driver is ultimately responsible for any vehicle he/she operates on a public road. I actually got caught doing the speed of light, and I can tell you, you don't want to have to pay for the fine I got. Besides that, I do not get my license back until 4098!

Answer 10

I would assume that it is like a truck driver. The driver get the fine. If he doesn't pay it, the company may step in and assess additional penalties.

For a train, it might be a little different. There might be a governing agency that takes action against the train company, which will then discipline (or fire) the engineer.

Answer 11

is the butler the guilty one     ah come on every mystery has to have a butler   hahaha

Answer 12

probably the driver. because how is it the companies fault? the only thing they are really responsible is making sure that he has had proper training and has the qualification and they probably might do some annual check up of some sort. but overall the driver shoudl know if he's going over the limit because htat could endanger peoples lives.

Answer 13

It can be both, depending on the circumstances.

There are speed limits which are enforced, both through the OTMR (The Black Box, records speed, braking, power setting, warnings, vigulance alerts and much more), speed guns, and an inspector in the rear cab etc.  Downloads are carried out daily...

Any infringment will see a driver removed from his/her duties for extra training - and if its major would loose their job

Answer 14

The engineer might get a fine, and he might lose his or her train license.  There are speed limites for passenger and frieght trains usually for safety purposes.  In Europe, the trains can reach up to 200mph.  Amtrack has it's ACELA train on the NorthEast corridor (Boston-Washington,D.C.) that can go 140 +

Answer 15

trains dont have speed limits