Bernie Perch's Craftsmanship

[Wayne Laepple]

37.5 or 37.6 mph? Hmmm. Last I knew, the maximum permitted speed for all trains on the R&N was 28 mph.

[Steve Smith]

Uh oh, Wayne. I hope I don't get somebody in trouble!      :-)

I'm sure it couldn't be any kitchen timer error or computational error by me!     Double :-)

Perhaps the recording rate and playback rate are not 1:1.

[Steve Smith]

All

If you see a bright red glow from the direction of Camden ME, it's not a raging forest fire. It's just the color of my face, because of the math goof I made in estimating the speed of No. 425 in the YouTube video. Having done a bunch of area calculations not long before, I absent-mindedly used the formula for the area of a circle where I intended to find the circumference.

The circumference of a 69-inch driver is a tad over 18 feet, whereas the area of a circle 69 inches in diameter is a tad under 26 sq. ft.

So to correct my wrong speed figure, multiply it by 18/26. That gives 26 mph, comfortably below the 28 mph limit you mentioned, Wayne.

To all, and especially to the engine crew of No. 425.......velly solly!

[Keith Taylor]

37.5 or 37.6 mph? Hmmm. Last I knew, the maximum permitted speed for all trains on the R&N was 28 mph.

Hi Wayne, why so slow? And how did they come up with 28 as opposed to 30, or 27? It just s sounds like a rather arbitrary figure. I understand why many Amtrak trains have a limit of 79 mph, because the FRA says at speeds of 80 and above you have to have cab signals and automatic train control. Just curious, as I realize that a railroad can set any speed limit they wish.
Keith

[Paul Horky]

Keith Taylor said railroads can set their own speed limits. Wrong speed limits are set by FRA/NTSB through a set of standarts based on condition of subgrade, type and amount of ballast, tie condition,and rail weight/tpyes of loads and weight of axel loading plus some other factors.

[Allan Fisher]

Railroads set their own speed limits.

NTSB has no regulatory authority at all - and only fulfills their mission by using moral suasion.

FRA has regulated track standards - but does not set speed limits. Railroads must set their speed limits so that they are in compliance with FRA standards.