TMPG: over 400 tmpg – note, most rail runs around 80mph outside of cities.
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I don’t think this affects the efficiency one way or another, but I just drove close to half way across the country and back, mostly on US 40. Probably saw 30 freight trains. Didn’t see a single one much over 60 MPH. None were close to 80.[/quote]
And you probably saw them near towns where the rail goes through..?? They do slow down on grades or when they have to pass. Most rail is single track, with sections that are dual to allow passing. They have to slow/wait on the passing sections. You can see that behavior down at the Sorrento Valley crossing. There are multiple tracks at the crossing, but outside of the crossing – the track drops to single track. Some of the recent work at the Sorrento Valley crossing was to add an additional track (in the event that two trains need to pass and there is a Coaster at the station loading) as well as making the paired track section longer (easier for freight passing).
