• HobbitFoot @thelemmy.club
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    10 days ago

    Not really for Acela. The NE Corridor is fully grade separated for most parts and four cities chosen are far enough apart to make use of the train’s top speed.

    • AA5B@lemmy.world
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      10 days ago

      It makes use of the trains top speed for less than 50 miles of the route. It’s basically only infrastructure: tight curves, ancient bridges and tunnels, too many choke points. It may be grade separated but you still can’t blast through towns at full speed. It’s limited by freight trains. It’s even limited by shipping, because of drawbridges.

      Edit - Here’s a partial map illustrating speed increases for some planned infrastructure projects