(erielack) Mainline Speeds

["Dick Honeyman" <hmanrr_@_rochester.rr.com>]

Here's #2

From: "William Shultz" <wshultz_@_clarityconnect.com>
Subject: Re: (erielack) Mainline Speeds


> The employee timetables for years had a maximum LISTED speed for
> passenger trains as 79 mph in steam and diesel days. I'm sure it doesn't
> take much of a stretch of one's imagination to figure that the speed
> limit was exceeded from time to time. From old timers I've spoken to,
> the M-1 Hudsons routinely went faster making up time on late trains.
> They claim numbers like 100+. From what I've heard about the Hudsons it
> probably was true. I'm sure the 79" drivered Pacifics could do pretty
> well too.
>
> There are a few sections that had a fair number of curves like between
> Wayland and Dansville, and of course the eastbound grade up Dansville
> Hill, but otherwise the whole main from Vestal west was fairly level
> with most curves 2 degrees or under, well under. I wish I had been there
> to witness it first hand.
>
> Regards,
>
> Will Shultz
>
> Dick Honeyman wrote:
> >
> > I've seen the term "racetrack" used to describe parts of the DL&W
mainline
> > between Corning and Wayland.  Does anyone have information on the speed
> > limits and actual typical speeds behind that label?
> >
> >  ------------------------------------------------------------
> > Visit the erielack photopage at http://el-list.railfan.net
>

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