Line speed

nounStandard termRailroad

The maximum authorized velocity for a specific section of track under normal conditions.

The permanent speed limit assigned to a segment of railway, dictated by track geometry, rail weight, signal spacing, and curvature. Timetables and track charts publish these limits, which dictate the fastest a train can legally travel unless restricted by temporary slow orders or signal indications.

Heard on the job

We hit the straightaway past milepost 40 and finally got back up to line speed.

Also heard as

  • track speed