|
The Truman Area Community Network
A Community Information Source
supported by the Henry County Library
|
|
TACnet: History: Railroads of Henry County
FRA Track and Signal Speed Limits
Operating Speed Limits by Class of Track
49 CFR 213.9 and 213.307
Sec. 213.9 Classes of track: operating speed limits.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section and
Secs. 213.57(b), 213.59(a), 213.113(a), and 213.137(b) and (c), the
following maximum allowable operating speeds apply--
[In miles per hour]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The maximum The maximum
Over track that meets all of the allowable allowable
requirements prescribed in this operating speed operating speed
part for-- for freight for passenger
trains is-- trains is--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excepted track.................... 10 N/A
Class 1 track..................... 10 15
Class 2 track..................... 25 30
Class 3 track..................... 40 60
Class 4 track..................... 60 80
Class 5 track..................... 80 90
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec. 213.307 Class of track: operating speed limits.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section and
Secs. 213.329, 213.337(a) and 213.345(c), the following maximum
allowable operating speeds apply:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over track that meets all of the The maximum allowable
requirements prescribed in this subpart operating speed for trains
for-- is--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class 6 track............................ 110 m.p.h.
Class 7 track............................ 125 m.p.h.
Class 8 track............................ 160 m.p.h.
Class 9 track............................ 200 m.p.h.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Top of Page]
Definition of FRA Excepted Track
Sec. 213.4 Excepted track.
A track owner may designate a segment of track as excepted track
provided that--
(a) The segment is identified in the timetable, special
instructions, general order, or other appropriate records which are
available for inspection during regular business hours;
(b) The identified segment is not located within 30 feet of an
adjacent track which can be subjected to simultaneous use at speeds in
excess of 10 miles per hour;
(c) The identified segment is inspected in accordance with
213.233(c) and 213.235 at the frequency specified for Class 1 track;
(d) The identified segment of track is not located on a bridge
including the track approaching the bridge for 100 feet on either side,
or located on a public street or highway, if railroad cars containing
commodities required to be placarded by the Hazardous Materials
Regulations (49 CFR part 172), are moved over the track; and
(e) The railroad conducts operations on the identified segment under
the following conditions:
(1) No train shall be operated at speeds in excess of 10 miles per
hour;
(2) No occupied passenger train shall be operated;
(3) No freight train shall be operated that contains more than five
cars required to be placarded by the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49
CFR part 172); and
(4) The gage on excepted track shall not be more than 4 feet 10 1/4
inches. This paragraph (e)(4) is applicable September 21, 1999.
(f) A track owner shall advise the appropriate FRA Regional Office
at least 10 days prior to removal of a segment of track from excepted
status.
[Top of Page]
Track Gauge Limits by Class of Track
49 CFR 213.53 and 213.323
Sec. 213.53 Gage.
(a) Gage is measured between the heads of the rails at right-angles
to the rails in a plane five-eighths of an inch below the top of the
rail head.
(b) Gage shall be within the limits prescribed in the following
table--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class of track The gage must be at least-- But not more than--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excepted track.......................... N/A............................ 4'10 1/4".
Class 1 track........................... 4'8"........................... 4'10".....
Class 2 and 3 track..................... 4'8"........................... 4'9 3/4"..
Class 4 and 5 track..................... 4'8"........................... 4'9 1/2"..
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec. 213.323 Track gage.
(a) Gage is measured between the heads of the rails at right-angles
to the rails in a plane five-eighths of an inch below the top of the
rail head.
(b) Gage shall be within the limits prescribed in the following
table:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
change
of gage
within
Class of track The gage must But not more 31 feet
be at least-- than-- must
not be
greater
than--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6............................ 4'8"........... 4'9 1/4"..... 1/2"
7............................ 4'8"........... 4'9 1/4"..... 1/2"
8............................ 4'8"........... 4'9 1/4"..... 1/2"
9............................ 4'8 1/4"....... 4'9 1/4"..... 1/2"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Top of Page]
FRA Signal Related Speed Limits
In simple words:
No signals 49 mph Freight 59 mph Passenger
Block signals or TCS 79 mph Freight or Passenger
Automatic Train Stop 80 mph or more as determined by
characteristics of signal system
---------------------------------------------------
In the words of Code of Federal Regulations:
49 CFR 236.0
Sec 236.0
(c) Where a passenger train is operated at a speed of 60 or more
miles per hour, or a freight train is operated at a speed of 50 or more
miles per hour, a block signal system complying with the provisions of
this part shall be installed or a manual block system shall be placed
permanently in effect which shall conform to the following conditions:
(1) A passenger train shall not be admitted to a block occupied by
another train except under flag protection;
(2) No train shall be admitted to a block occupied by a passenger
train except under flag protection;
(3) No train shall be admitted to a block occupied by an opposing
train except under flag protection; and
(4) A freight train, including a work train, may be authorized to
follow a freight train, including a work train, into a block but the
following train must proceed prepared to stop within one-half the range
of vision but not exceeding 20 miles per hour.
(d) Where any train is operated at a speed of 80 or more miles per
hour, an automatic cab signal, automatic train stop or automatic train
control system complying with the provisions of this part shall be
installed.
[Top of Page]