From: jishnu@nospam.verizon.net   
      
   On 6/19/2014 10:28 AM, Stephen Sprunk wrote:   
   > On 19-Jun-14 01:59, Glen Labah wrote:   
   >> There are other countries out there that have fewer derailments than   
   >> the USA.  It seems to me it might be worth taking a look at some of   
   >> those countries to see what they are doing that is different.   
   >   
   > For one thing, they're using significantly lighter rolling stock, which   
   > lowers the risk of derailment due to excessive speed or poor track.   
   >   
   > The FRA weight penalty strikes again...   
      
   That is relevant for passenger trains only I think. For freight the US   
   uses a much heavier rolling stock mainly because they carry much more   
   stuff in each car. 264 klb is the standard now on 4 axles, with 286 klb   
   becoming more prevalent and many want to go upto 312 klb (although there   
   currently is some disagreement on whether it is actually worth it). All   
   that has nothing to do with FRA AFAICT. It has more to do with   
   competitiveness with trucks and such, and the ability to carry more in   
   shorter trains.   
      
   /J   
      
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