Page 23: Speed-Zone 2: Red Bluff to MP 233
Contents
Speed-Zone 3:
Milepost 233 to Redding
This is the last stretch of track without speed restrictions for geometry. For a long distance, it is also the last piece of track that might see additional regional traffic, which is important for the amount of upgrade funds. Redding is the last major town on the California side. North of Redding, the mountains go up, and the population density goes down.
Between Cottonwood and Anderson, the track curves around one hill.
"Without speed restrictions" has one exception, though, and unfortunately, it is located in the middle. In order to circumvent the hills between Cottonwood and Anderson, the track bends around "Panorama Point", and this bend causes a speed restriction to 76 mph on freight track.
Highway 99 to the right, local road to the left: Several miles of this speed zone do not offer much room for advanced grade
crossing protection.
On straight track, it is possible to mix 110 mph trains with freight. Policies of Union Pacific and the FRA may
or may not allow this. Should dedicated track be a requirement anyway, 125 mph is well possible, but might cause
considerable grade crossing elimination costs. From Cottonwood to Redding, the track runs parallel with one road, or even
two roads on both sides.
The table data has been calculated for 110 mph and mixed operation with freight.