When it comes to operating the class 66 on the various UK routes, I remember seeing a video somewhere that explained that UK freight trains don’t actually aim for the max line speed. They have their own speed limits based on the type of freight train and I believe it is identified by the trains head code (ie 4V44). Is there any guide out there to sum up how these work? I want to run them at realistic speeds.
Headcode beginning with: 0: Light engine or loco convoy. Line limit OR loco Vmax, whichever is lower 1: Express passenger; emergency trains and snowplows 2: Stopping passenger 3: Parcels train or RHTT, wagon Vmax (RHTT 60 mph while spraying) 4: fast freight: 75 mph 5: Empty coaching stock move 6: normal freight: 60 mph 7: slow freight: 45 mph 8: extra heavy or unfitted freight: 35 mph 9: Eurostar Note that (except for 9) the headcodes also indicate dispatch priority, i.e. a 4 will be held to let a 3 pass.
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/how-fast-are-freight-trains-in-the-uk.16067/ Post 12 in this thread lists all UK class speed limits for you
Is there a rule for speed limits which are below the maximum permitted speed? I.e. When doing freight on Birmingham Cross City the bud will give you a different max speed to the one posted on the signs? Is there any rules behind that?
Its based on the max speed of the loco and the max speed of the class of train (always the lower of the 2). I believe the below is correct Class 0 - (light engine) 60mph unless line speed is over 90mph then its 75mph Class 1,2 & 3 line speed or max speed of loco Class 4 75mph Class 5 line speed (ECS) Class 6 60mph Class 7 45mph Class 8 35mph Class 9 - this is an odd ball, traditionally its been unfitted and partially fitted freight (25mph/35mph respectively) but now is used for Channel tunnel and some Cross Country services so same as Class 1. Now Im no expert, this is just what Ive found online so if anyone knows better feel free to correct me.
It’s also worth mentioning that when driving a freight train when you see a differential speed restriction (two different speeds shown on the same sign, one above the other) it is the slower of the two speeds which applies.
You can further muddy the waters by going back to steam days when freight was classified by letter from C through to K.
Class 9 are also used for a lot of London Overground, Elizabeth Line and Thameslink services, so for those treat as standard passenger
The different speed limits that come up in TSW are erroneous. The freight limits appear to be set at around two thirds of the main speed limit as an automatic setting so a 60mph limit will then show 40mph for a freight train. This is wrong. The freight limits are often the same as the line limit and are specified by signage if they aren’t. It’s something that requires fixing.
Okay, a related question: does somebody have a breakdown of the head displays for different classes in the steam/ disc era?
I think you will find tthey were limited to 30 MPH, though the chart above doesn't show the maximum speed for each class. I'll have to dig out one of the old SIAM traffic games or the instructions and see if that lists the speeds.
Would be very interested in that if you could find it! Re speeds I went off an old website that said old 4 wheeled stock was blanketed under a 45mph limit by BR due to being unstable. Although if there were unfitted wagons in the train the drivers would lower it (depending on the number of unfitted wagons) at their disgression. I think fully unfitted were around 25mph as you say earlier. Although wasn't sure how it varied betwen classes as most of the fitted stock is labelled 'XP' Wasn't totally sure about pickup goods services and the ICI wagons on the limestone trains though? As they're very heavy but have two bogies?
On the Elizabeth Line 9xxx headcodes are used to ensure that a train isn't routed into a platform where it won't fit. Platform 12 at Paddington can only take eight coaches whereas a Class 345 is nine coaches long. Although most trains use the core section, a handful still run into Paddington in the morning, at night and at times of disruption.
Not sure how true that is. My thoughts on it were because they cross the old regions (Western, Eastern and a bit of Southern) but either way they're 9x headcodes and are passenger services for the purpose of which speed they read on a speed board Same is true for Thameslink and the Overground.
It seems to be the case that 9 has always been a sort of catch-all for trains that don't really fit anywhere else.
Well the Australian rail system is based off the British although the US has been influencing it for the last 60 years. If you have heavy axle loads such as coal, grain and commodities you will not be able to run at full speed. In Australia generally it is 70kph for iron ore, grain and coal. Or possibly 80kph on some networks. Australia suffers from extreme temperature fluctuations where inland can go to minus 2 Celsius thus reducing the rail head temperature and then in day time return the rail to 35-70Celcius. In summer it is less extreme as the temperature drop doesn't fall below the teens (ie 10-19C). In the US and Europe/Britain in the colder months the temperature doesn't fluctuate like Australia. If it is winter for example and it is a maximum of 10C well the temperature won't drop more than 20C to -10C. So the railway is more stable and less breakage occurs, although due to heavy freight in the US and constant traffic and flat wheels, rail breakage is common. Seems like the reply to the OP has a good general guide for you. Container trains in Australia and the US are usually hot or fast freight at 70-75mph. In Australia that is 110kph, with Nullabor speeds of 120kph. Steel trains that are bulky as in unfitted in the reply above.... well they are extra slow. Extra heavy too. 35mph seems accurate and is the same or similar here. Passenger trains are usually the highest speeds in all countries. They have special suspension and bogies that help them stay on the rails.
