by KSmitty
KEN PATRICK wrote:now, as for speed restrictions. why not increase to 15mph on the 'bad' track? run a few months. zero in on specific track problems and fix them. then repeat the same 'test' at 20mph. do the needed repairs. go to 25 etc.i don't like large ball-park numbers- '150 million'- because they are never real. i prefer an incremental approach. i think 4 good ties every 40 ft, gauging and resurfacing should be on-going. the increase in profits would easily pay for the work. i love folklore but it really clouds issues. ken patrickThe problem with that is, as has been explained before, there is some solid science behind "Harmonic Rock" which occurs between 15-20mph, never mind it is company policy that trains on jointed rail not operate between 25 and 10, unless on an uphill where they are losing speed to gain altitude.
It is also a problem in that "testing" as you suggest would result in more on the ground. As was said earlier here, there is a no debt approach. Each derailment costs to clean up, which decreases line investment...Circle of doom there. Better to upgrade track structure to support 25mph operation rather than "test" and make a mess.