[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR213.307]

[Page 119]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 213--TRACK SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
        Subpart G--Train Operations at Track Classes 6 and Higher
 
Sec. 213.307  Class of track: operating speed limits.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section and 
Secs. 213.329, 213.337(a) and 213.345(c), the following maximum 
allowable operating speeds apply:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Over track that meets all of the          The maximum allowable
 requirements prescribed in this subpart     operating speed for trains
                  for--                               \1\ is--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class 6 track............................  110 m.p.h.
Class 7 track............................  125 m.p.h.
Class 8 track............................  160 m.p.h.\2\
Class 9 track............................  200 m.p.h.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Freight may be transported at passenger train speeds if the
  following conditions are met:
(1) The vehicles utilized to carry such freight are of equal dynamic
  performance and have been qualified in accordance with Sections
  213.345 and 213.329(d) of this subpart.
(2) The load distribution and securement in the freight vehicle will not
  adversely affect the dynamic performance of the vehicle. The axle
  loading pattern is uniform and does not exceed the passenger
  locomotive axle loadings utilized in passenger service operating at
  the same maximum speed.
(3) No carrier may accept or transport a hazardous material, as defined
  at 49 CFR 171.8, except as provided in Column 9A of the Hazardous
  Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101) for movement in the same train as a
  passenger-carrying vehicle or in Column 9B of the Table for movement
  in a train with no passenger-carrying vehicles.
\2\ Operating speeds in excess of 150 m.p.h. are authorized by this part
  only in conjunction with a rule of particular applicability addressing
  other safety issues presented by the system.

    (b) If a segment of track does not meet all of the requirements for 
its intended class, it is to be reclassified to the next lower class of 
track for which it does meet all of the requirements of this subpart. If 
a segment does not meet all of the requirements for Class 6, the 
requirements for Classes 1 through 5 apply.