how fast do trains go?


for me i from time to time enjoy a little speed running, but for the most part I honestly try (when possible) to run the trains to a realistic scale speed that the real thing could achieve with the type of consist is pulling (passenger verses freight as well the length of the train) and when possible I try to program the decoder to limit the top speed to close to the real prototype top speed is...
 
Train Speeds

Yesterday, I was watching trains in Du Plainville, WI at the diamond where the east/west CP crosses the north/south CN line. There was a lot of train action yesterday.

The CP line had one long tank car unit train (100) cars with a single loco in the lead and a single pusher in the rear of the train. The train was traveling about 55-60 mph.

On the CN line, three north bound freights were traveling at about 35 mph. Two of the three trains did stop to exchange cars at a siding on the 2 track main.

Typically, when watching the CN line, the freights travel in the 55-60 mph range, was well as the CP. Last week, on the CP a freight was passing my viewing spot and it slow down to crawl. A east bound AmTrak was approaching the CP frieght. Following this practices would add interest to operations on a model rail road with a double main.

I agree a lot of modelers run their trains too fast and it is unrealistic. I usually run two trains on my Milwaukee Northern single main. Running at a scale 30-35 mph looks prototypical, and it takes longer for the trains to complete the run around my layout which is not huge.

Just my 2 cents worth on train speeds.

Greg
 
the avrage freight train will go an avrage of about 35 to 50 MPH....least from what I remember hearing when I was talking to someone a while back about this...
 
Midnught Special said:
the avrage freight train will go an avrage of about 35 to 50 MPH....least from what I remember hearing when I was talking to someone a while back about this...
Click to expand...

That all depends on terrain too, I know that the speed limit for freights where I work is 40mph on the main line but there are places where we slow down to 25, 35, 10 depending on the restriction. Amtrak runs 55 - 69 depending on location and now they are getting bumped up to 79 in a lot of spots. Out in NY state freights do 50 -60 and some intermodal even go faster. This video shows what I am talking about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv0o9x3VSaY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzeKqUuEpCU
 
In Montana, the BNSF and Montana Rail Link parallel interstate 90 quite often, and I have paced their freight trains at 60 mph plus, but a lot has to do with the traffic. I have paced trains along the section of track traveling a lot slower. Being that the main line is a single track, a lot of the times trains are slowing to clear the mainline on a passing siding, or sitting stopped in a passing siding waiting for the oncoming train to pass. Speed along the same section of track can vary from day to day depending on the amount of traffic.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
montanan said:
In Montana, the BNSF and Montana Rail Link parallel interstate 90 quite often, and I have paced their freight trains at 60 mph plus, but a lot has to do with the traffic. I have paced trains along the section of track traveling a lot slower. Being that the main line is a single track, a lot of the times trains are slowing to clear the mainline on a passing siding, or sitting stopped in a passing siding waiting for the oncoming train to pass. Speed along the same section of track can vary from day to day.
Click to expand...

Pacing fast trains can be quit interesting as you see here. 3 of my favorites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfexVm1Hy6Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVftNbk96Sw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt6ko-qYWuw&feature=youtu.be
 
Everything depends on what your modeling. I small short line will most likely be either a 10mph or 25mph railroad vs regionals that might be 25mph - 40mph and faster. Class ones will have faster running on mainlines and slower on branches so like I said it depends on the line your modeling. Yes there are speed restrictions and slow sections of track but seeing big layouts with prototypically long trains running at 5mph to 10mph kind of spoils it and so doesn't watching a short line train doing 150mph, LOL
 
You must log in or register to reply here.



Back
Top