Crescent ATN & TCL
OBS Chief
NS has increased train speeds along the Crescent route between Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. Starting today Amtrak will run 79mph on 20 miles of track, up from as low as 30mph in some areas. NS is responding to complaints about trains taking too long to pass through Birmingham suburbs.
Amtrak sent a test train consisting of 2 Superliners and 2 P-42s operating in push-pull mode to help NS calibrate the crossing gates for the higher speeds. The test train has been operating over this section since the 25th at speeds of up to 90mph with NS signal crews on hand to test the gates.
The link below is to a news article talking about one 12 mi segment in the Bessemer, AL area.....
Link
From what I understand this is just the beginning of NS raising speeds along this route.
Amtrak sent a test train consisting of 2 Superliners and 2 P-42s operating in push-pull mode to help NS calibrate the crossing gates for the higher speeds. The test train has been operating over this section since the 25th at speeds of up to 90mph with NS signal crews on hand to test the gates.
The link below is to a news article talking about one 12 mi segment in the Bessemer, AL area.....
Link
I will be on #20 tomorrow going from Tuscaloosa to Anniston to visit family on the second NB run at the new speed.“To expedite the movement of freight trains through Birmingham, Midfield, Fairfield, Lipscomb, and Bessemer, Ala., Norfolk Southern Railway will increase maximum track speed at 27 highway-rail grade crossings beginning Monday, Sept. 28, 2009.”
“Train speeds at the following locations will increase in three increments from 30 mph to 50 mph on Sept. 28-29, 2009; from 50 mph to 60 mph on Oct. 12-13, and from 60 mph to 79 mph for passenger trains on Oct 26-27: 4th Place N, Center Street, 14th Place SW, 15th Place SW, 15th Way SW, Pearson/Jefferson, 17th Street SW, 17th Way SW, 24th Street SW, 31st Street SW, 40th Street SW, 50th Street SW, 54th Street SW, 15th Street, 5th Street S, 32nd Street, 20th Street, 19th Street, 18th Street, 16th Street, 15th Street, 14th Street – SR 150, 9th Street, 7th Street, 4th Street, 1st Street and Division Street.”
“The crossing warning devices at these locations have been adjusted to activate for faster-moving trains.”
From what I understand this is just the beginning of NS raising speeds along this route.
Last edited by a moderator: