What is the average speed on the high speed rails throughout the United States? In particular South Carolina?

Question

I stayed at the Comfort Inn in Clemson, SC this past weekend, and right behind the motel was a high speed railway. I was wondering what the average speed of these trains are on average. It looked like the trains that we saw were moving pretty good. I walked along the track and got some great video on Friday morning.

Answer 1

That's not high speed like this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TGV

but regular trains move "fast enough" when you're 50 feet away from them.  (much closer is not a good idea, freight loads shift, metal straps come loose...)

Freight speed is 40-70 depending (slower for heavy freights to save fuel, and faster for intermodal (trailer and container trains, or RoadRailers).  

Amtrak goes 79 mph.  Most freight track is good for 90 mph, however going 80+ requires a control system called ATS or ATC, which most lines do not have.  

You might also be seeing Amtrak's "Auto Train", which carries passenger coaches and auto-rack cars containing the passengers' automobiles, nonstop betwen Washington DC and Orlando.

Answer 2

Oh, it wasnt high-speed man. There is no high-speed railroading in SC. Only in the Northeast.

Freight trains can go pretty fast. Usually between 55-65. The speed is usually determined by what the train is carrying. Passenger trains can go up to 79, depending on the condition of the track.

High-speed would be like the NEC, trains going above 100 on a regular basis.

Answer 3

if you think or know if it was amtrak about 70