BOB2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ken is wrong as far as I know, for posted speed
> limits (as opposed to actual speeds, or maximum
> possible engine speeds) on a speed board or in a
> published employee timetable. Nor, as far as I
> know, is there any evidence for a published
> scheduled average passenger trains speed faster
> than that.
>
> I have never seen a speed higher than 79 mph
> listed in any of the older employee timetables I
> have for any segment of the SP, but I would love
> to see the proof, if it exists?

Bob- I'm still disagreeing with you. What years did YOU work on the SP ??
I have video of SP 4439 rolling thru the valley at 95 mph !! Comments ?
Even the 4400's pulling the mail train hauled ass.

KRK
>
> Yes, SP did much better than Amtrak does, or has
> done on the Coastline. They didn't pad the
> schedule with an 20 minutes extra for each hundred
> miles like they have today, or for "smoking
> breaks".
>
> I have heard numerous stories about SP trains
> doing 90+ making up time, and many are certainly
> true, but that was not a "permitted" or a posted
> speed.
>
> I myself took a BSMFF with a dynamiter and only
> two working dynamic brakes down the Acolita grade
> into Niland with my speedometer pegged on 90 mph..
> That distant signal approaching Niland would
> start as a flashing yellow, and I figured if it
> didn't go green, we would have to plug it there to
> be able to stop before the fouling point at the
> west end of Niland.
>
> I also had two "shut down" cars for Gemco, with
> four units and a caboose. And, the Road Foreman
> told me there was no speed limit, and we probably
> approached 100 mph past the end of Two track
> leaving Yuma. before he gave me a look of terror
> and I backed off a bit.
>
> An old hoghead once reminded me, when I was a
> young hot running fireman, "that any fool can run
> one of these things, but that they paid us the
> really big money for being able to stop them....".