Whats the speed of a conventional (not-bullet) train?

Question

1st relevant answer gets best.

Answer 1

As with most things around the RR, it's complicated.

There is "track speed," which as its name implies is the speed at which the roadbed is designed to handle, or present condition will allow.  As an example, long straights or sweeping curves can handle higher speeds.

The next factor is signal spacing.  The further apart, the higher the speed at which a train can operate, up to track speed.  But, the maximum for any train without "cab signals" is 79mph.

As Rango points out, here in the US, the highest operating speed I know of (for passenger trains) is 125 mph in the eastern commute corridors.

Next are the variable factors affecting freight trains, that must be calculated for each train (no two are exactly alike), such as TPOB (Tons Per Operative Brake), TAD (Tons Per Axle of Dynamic Brake), overall tonnage and length, etc.  These determine a train's Maximum Authorized Speed, with  "Authorized" being the key word.  The track may be good for a train moving at 70 mph, but if your train is only "authorized" to operate at 40 mph, then that is your top speed.

Most road freight locomotives top out at 72 mph, beyond which "overspeed" will automatically chop the power and apply the brakes.  Passenger locomotives, which are geared higher, can run considerably faster, on up to that 125 mph for electric passenger locomotives.

Next, there are certain types of equipment that have a speed restriction on them.  Even if all the other factors say you can run faster, if you have a car in your train that is restricted to 25 mph, for example, then 25 mph is your maximum authorized speed as long as that car is in the train.  If you're lucky and get to set that car out en route, then you revert to the above to determine a new Maximum Authorized Speed.  The same is done for any other changes made in the train's consist en route.

Also, there are often temporary speed restrictions in place for a certain length of track, usually do to maintenance work or a need for maintenance work.  Here, you are notified by Track Bulletin of these locations when beginning your trip.

And finally, most railroads have speed restrictions in effect for certain trains for fuel conservation purposes.

So, the "speed boards" one sees standing next to the track similar to a roadside speed limit sign, only refers to track speed.  All else you must figure out beginning each trip or during each trip as required.

The above having been said, if a train isn't behaving properly, the engineer can run at a reduced speed if deemed necessary in that engineer's judgement.  You may have to explain it, if operating on an "expedited" schedule, but ultimately, as an engineer, that is your call and no one elses.

I think this info may be relevant, even if more than you were looking for, but either way, that's the way it works...

Answer 2

Bullet is just the name of the trains given in Japan because of their stramlined design, it is more of a marketing thing than anything else.

Bullet trains and TGV (France's version) still run on conventional line, the main difference is that each car is powered instead of being pulled by a single locomotive.

Of course for the highest speed travel they are on dedicated lines and dont share with freight traffic but the railroad is the same.

Conventional high speed trains like Amtrak's Acela can run 125 MPH with not much trouble.

Most Amtrak routes that share traffic with freight trains run at a maximum speed of 79 MPH, faster speeds require a higher level of track maintenance and signalling.

High speed rail like Japan's bullet train and France's TGV run twice that in everyday operation and triple that in test and developmental applications.