I travel in NC frequently, and the other day, was driving south on US 301 at the NC/VA border south of Skippers, VA (301 follows the old ACL main, and is much more interesteing than I-95).

Seeing the crossing gates going down at a side road (right on the border at a large factory), I pulled off, and saw what must have been the southbound Autotrain going by at what looked like 79mph. It was really moving, and was very impressive.

This got me wondering; what locations along 301 in NC do trains generally hit their max speed - is it 79mph for passenger and 60 mph for freight? I find it very impressive to see a train hustling by at high speed at a grade crossing.

Wes Woodruff Orlando, FL

-- Wes Woodruff (woodruff_wes@bah.com), December 18, 2001

Answers

Maximum train speeds on tracks which do not have any means of train control,train stop, or cab signals, are limited to a maximum of 79 mph. Prior to 1970, ACL had an intermittent automatic train stop system between Richmond and Waycross. This permitted ACL, and later SCL to operate at speeds in excess of 79 mph. Once SCL disconnected the train stop, a 1947 ICC order reduced the maximum speed.

-- Michael W. Savchak (Savchak@mnr.org), December 24, 2001.

wow, lets try this again...

Maximum Authorized Speed Between Location/Mile Post MPH
A840.9 Auburndale and A873.8 SE Mango 60
Winston and Prairie Junction 35
Park Spur 20
A648.2 and A840.9 60
A635.2 and A638.7 60
A638.7 and A642.5 40
A642.5 and A648.2 60
A506.0 and A635.2 70
East Route A490.4 and A494.9 50
A494.9 and A506.0 70
West Route S499.9 and S509.6 70
A292.7 Florence and A490.4 Central Junction 70
A119.9 Charlie Baker and A292.7 Florence 70
ARN2.0 Richmond and A119.9 Charlie Baker 70
CFP4.8 "GN" and CFP1.7/ARN3.3 "AY" 40
CFP1.7/ARN3.3 "AY" and SRN4.0 40
CFP1.7/ARN3.3 "AY" and ARN2.0 50
Note: All tracks other than Main or Signal tracks 10 MPH

-- troy nolen (tnolen12@tampabay.rr.com), December 24, 2001.

ERIC, You are right about your location!!Another location is old delmar at the 95.3 mp. their is 7.3 between Halifax and Delmar and only 1 xing in that stretch!!!!!!!

-- V.L.LEWIS (sclrr@hotmail.com), December 21, 2001.

You were at a good spot, you should see one 173 blasting through Grizzard at 70.

-- Eric Corse (acleric@mindspring.com), December 19, 2001.

this is for freight... passenger is mostly 79 except for bad order stretches

Maximum Authorized Speed Between Location/Mile Post MPH A840.9 Auburndale and A873.8 SE Mango 60 Winston and Prairie Junction 35 Park Spur 20 A648.2 and A840.9 60 A635.2 and A638.7 60 A638.7 and A642.5 40 A642.5 and A648.2 60 A506.0 and A635.2 70 East Route A490.4 and A494.9 50 A494.9 and A506.0 70 West Route S499.9 and S509.6 70 A292.7 Florence and A490.4 Central Junction 70 A119.9 Charlie Baker and A292.7 Florence 70 ARN2.0 Richmond and A119.9 Charlie Baker 70 CFP4.8 "GN" and CFP1.7/ARN3.3 "AY" 40 CFP1.7/ARN3.3 "AY" and SRN4.0 40 CFP1.7/ARN3.3 "AY" and ARN2.0 50 Note: All tracks other than Main or Signal tracks 10 MPH

-- troy nolen (tnolen12@tampabay.rr.com), December 19, 2001.

I think the Autotrain is held to 70 (seven zero). The other passenger trains do 79 to 81 on most long straight stretches where there are no bridges, etc. at least to Rocky Mount. If you make it as far North as Skippers, you might want to venture on up to North Collier. There you can see passenger trains at speed and Southbound freight and heavy pig trains down on their knees Southbound. If you want more info you can email me at tommy@arthurtransport.com

-- Tommy Arthur (tommy@arthurtransport.com), December 18, 2001.