FRA Class Railroads

Hi all,

I've been wondering what railroad classes the FRA interprets in terms od Freight & Passenger speeds. I know a few:

FRA Class 1- Frt None Allowed Psgr 10mph
Class 2 Frt 10mph Psgr 30 mph
Class 3 Frt 30 Psgr 50

Anyone else knows the rest??

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422 ... r213.9.htm says :



TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION



CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF

TRANSPORTATION



PART 213_TRACK SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents



Subpart A_General



Sec. 213.9 Classes of track: operating speed limits.



(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section and

Sec. Sec. 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

requirements prescribed

------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------



(b) If a segment of track does not meet all of the requirements for

its intended class, it is reclassified to the next lowest class of track

for which it does meet all of the requirements of this part. However, if

the segment of track does not at least meet the requirements for Class 1

track, operations may continue at Class 1 speeds for a period of not

more than 30 days without bringing the track into compliance, under the

authority of a person designated under Sec. 213.7(a), who has at least

one year of supervisory experience in railroad track maintenance, after

that person determines that operations may safely continue and subject

to any limiting conditions specified by such person.

Here are the Subpart G standards for high speed track:

Subpart G_Train Operations at Track Classes 6 and Higher



Sec. 213.307 Class of track: operating speed limits.



(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section and

Sec. Sec. 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-- \1\ is--

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Class 6 track............................ 110 m.p.h.

Class 7 track............................ 125 m.p.h.

Class 8 track............................ 160 m.p.h.\2\

Class 9 track............................ 200 m.p.h.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you guys for your help!

Now, is there an FRA Class 10 track?

I know that parts of the NEC are class 6 through 8 with slower zones, but I was wondering if parts of Amtrak's NEC could be upgraded to class 9?

There is no class 10 and currently only class 9 track is at test center in pueblo Colorado at fast loop.