Friday the Surface Transportation Board FINALLY issued a decision on Amtrak's April 2002 petition for an enforcement action against Guilford to allow the Downeaster to travel at up to 79 MPH.
The Board found that, based on Amtrak's visual track inspections, track geometry tests, and track loading tests conducted in late 2001, the Guilford line was satisfactorily upgraded to FRA Class IV track (max 79 MPH passenger, 60 MPH freight). The Board thereby ordered that Guilford permit Amtrak to operate the Downeaster at up to 79 MPH, subject to continued inspection and maintenance of the track to Class IV standards.
A copy of the decision (Adobe PDF file) is attached.
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