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Why Can Freight Trains Go Faster Than Passenger Trains during heat restrictions?

April 26, 2017faster freight heat passenger trains

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Why Can Freight Trains Go Faster Than Passenger Trains during heat restrictions?

1 Answer

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Simply, they can’t and don’t. Freight trains maximum speed limit is 60mph, passenger trains maximum speed limit is 70mph. During heat restrictions passenger trains must travel 20mph lower than the speed limit and freight trains 10mph lower than the posted speed limit. This effectively makes freight trains and passenger trains travel the same speed. However, as passenger trains slow as they stop and start for station stops, the freight trains do not. Hence why they seem to be moving faster.