NW-Mailing-List Digest, Vol 59, Issue 4

[NW Mailing List]

Didn't the N&W have a sign out in the Dismal Swamp somewhere saying
"Slow Down to 90"?

Bob Cohen

>

> I was coming West on US 460 one day and the Pocahantas passed me. I

> tried to catch up, got up to 80 MPH and it was still pulling away!!

>

> Walter Gay

> Grumpy ex-car knocker

>

> On Aug 2, 2010, at 10:22 AM, NW Mailing List wrote:

>

>> From Norfolk to Cincinnati the Powhatan Arrow averaged a little over

>> 44 miles an hour, including stops. In Virginia, the top speeds were

>> between Suffolk and Petersburg, where the average for the Arrow was

>> over 60 miles per hour (maybe 65, I don't remember for sure).

>> Anyway, nowhere else did N&W have a scheduled run abode 60 station

>> to station. Top speeds, of course, were higher.     Jim Nichols



>>

>> I heard today on a radio news program that 90mph trains have

>> preliminary approval for some time in the future in Virginia!  In

>> the heyday of N&W steam operations, what were the average speeds of

>> the Norfolk-Cincinnati trains and those on the Shenandoah Division.

>> Where and what were the top speeds?

>

> Per the May 1959 Trains (picked at random but far enough  back to be steam):

> Norfolk &  Western    25    Powhatan  Arrow    Suffolk        Petersburg

> 58.9  mi    53 min    66.7 mph

>                                26    Powhatan Arrow    Petersburg

> Suffolk         58.9  mi     54 min    65.4 mph

>

> As Harry says, the times were start to stop.  The criteria for  inclusion

> was at least 65 mph, and N&W had, by then, the only listing under  Steam

> Operated.

>

> Dave Phelps

>

> I heard today on a radio news program that 90mph trains have preliminary

> approval for some time in the future in Virginia!  In the heyday of N&W

>  steam operations, what were the average speeds of the Norfolk-Cincinnati

>  trains and those on the Shenandoah Division. Where and what were the top

>  speeds?

>

>  ###

>  Bernie Hylton



>  For many years, TRAINS published a list of the USA's fastest

> passenger trains.  N&W's entry was always No. 25 (The Powhatan

> Arrow) between Suffolk and Petersburg -- by recollection, it

> averaged 62 MPH.  But bear in mind this was the scheduled speed.

> The maximum authorized speed, 79 mph, had been established by

> the ICC.  N&W attempted to have ICC increase the maximum speed,

> but the ICC would not concede.  Remember that a train cannot

> pass a station ahead of the scheduled time.  So if a train was

> on schedule, there was no need to "make up time".  But if a train

> was late, the Poe to Kilby stretch was a good place to do it. In

> many instances, the Class J's went over 100 MPH, though N&W was

> reluctant to admit it.                      Harry Bundy

>

>

>