49 C.F.R. § 213.9 : Transportation — OTHER REGULATIONS RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION — FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION — TRACK SAFETY STANDARDS — GENERAL — Classes of track: operating speed limits

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section and §§ 213.57(b), 213.59(a), 213.113(a), and 213.137(b) and (c), the following maximum allowable operating speeds apply-

[In miles per hour]

Over track that meets all of the requirements prescribed in this part for- The maximum allowable operating speed for freight trains is- The maximum allowable operating speed for passenger trains is-
Excepted track 10 N/A
Class 1 track 10 15
Class 2 track 25 30
Class 3 track 40 60
Class 4 track 60 80
Class 5 track 80 90

(b) If a segment of track does not meet all of the requirements of its intended class, it is reclassified to the next lowest class of track for which it does meet all of the requirements of this part. However, if the segment of track does not at least meet the requirements of Class 1 track, operations may continue at Class 1 speeds for a period of not more than 30 days without bringing the track into compliance, under the authority of a person designated under § 213.7(a), after that person determines that operations may safely continue and subject to any limiting conditions specified by such person.

49 C.F.R. §213.9

63 FR 34029, 6/22/1998, as amended at 85 FR 63388, 10/7/2020