AMTRAK TRAINS -- END TO END SPEED (MPH)

This information is taken from the Summmer, 1996 Amtrak public
timetables.  

Caveats: Some services, such as Northeast Direct, had a wide
range of speeds. The number given is an average of all trains.  
Long station dwell times, such as in New York, Washington or New
Orleans are included in the calculations -- effectively slowing
the average speed.  

Speeds were compared with 1979 figures to determine changes over
time.  The source of the 1979 figures was the November, 1979
issue of Passenger Train Journal.  

Comments on this information or corrections should be sent to
Paul Moore, at 71367.1057@Compuserve.com

                             1996     Change 
                                     Since 1979
     
Metroliner Service            74        +10
Illinois Zephyr               59        +3
Empire Service                57
Hiawatha Service              56
Illini                        56
Southwest Chief               55
Silver Meteor                 53        -1
Keystone Service              52
Northeast Direct              52
Clockers                      52
Kansas City/St Louis Mules    51
State House                   51
San Joaquins                  50
Carolinian                    49
Empire Builder                49
Pioneer                       49        +1
City of New Orleans           49
Ann Rutledge                  49        -5
Lake Shore Limited            49        +1
Silver Star                   48        +1
Mount Adams                   48        -1
Pennsylvanian                 47
Twilight Limited              47        -4
Desert Wind                   47
Cascadia                      47        -2
California Zephyr             46        -5
Lake Cities                   46
Wolverine                     46        -5
Crescent                      46
Piedmont                      46
Three Rivers                  46
Maple Leaf                    45
Vermonter                     45        +4
Texas Eagle                   45
Pere Marquette                45
Sunset Limited                44        -2
Capitol Limited               44
San Diegans                   43        -6
International                 42
Cardinal                      40        -1
Adirondack                    40        -4
Mount Baker International     40        +5
Coast Starlight               40        -3
Capitols                      37
Cape Codder                   33