Brightline Trains West

[Anderson]

So, I'm going to apologize in advance for a bit of cynicism, but when I look at the speed chart...

...I very sincerely have to wonder how much time is being saved by going up to 186 MPH/300 KPH vs using 125 MPH units (or something a hair faster). Obviously they need a higher power-to-weight ratio than over in Florida and IIRC electrification is better for bad grades, but I'm just curious as to how much they're getting out of the shiny top speed numbers.

Of course, I'm also looking at this EB, and it looks like things are a bit gentler on them WB.

 

[Touchdowntom9]

So, I'm going to apologize in advance for a bit of cynicism, but when I look at the speed chart...
View attachment 39172
...I very sincerely have to wonder how much time is being saved by going up to 186 MPH/300 KPH vs using 125 MPH units (or something a hair faster). Obviously they need a higher power-to-weight ratio than over in Florida and IIRC electrification is better for bad grades, but I'm just curious as to how much they're getting out of the shiny top speed numbers.

Of course, I'm also looking at this EB, and it looks like things are a bit gentler on them WB.

Really interesting chart. Pretty remarkable to see the expected speeds decreasing while the speed limit is skyrocketing 3/5ths of the way through the chart due to the grade. I knew the grade was significant but truly didn't appreciate that it would cause a cutting edge bullet train to slow down while on full throttle.

 

[cirdan]

yes, quite sobering to see speeds drop to 60mph on a section that could be run at almost three times that.

Would a Japanese train offer better performance on grades?

 

[alanh]

Is it grade or curves? Steeper grades also tend to have curves.