Key:railway:track_class
 railway:track_class
|
 |
| Description |
|---|
Used to indicate rail quality or load class. 
|
| Group: railways |
| Used on these elements |
    |
| Useful combination |
| Status: de facto |
| Tools for this tag |
|
The track class of the railway line can be used to indicate two main features of the tracks depending on the geographical area.
This key is one of the tagging page for railways.
Track class in the USA and Canada
In the US and Canada, the usage of this tag requires the usage of railway:traffic_mode=* in order to properly discern the value of the maxspeed for freight vs passenger traffic
USA
In the United States, the Federal Railroad Administration has developed a system of classification for track quality. The class of a section of track determines the maximum possible running speed limits and the ability to run passenger trains. For further details check the Wikipedia page
| Track type | Freight | Passenger |
|---|---|---|
| Excepted | <10 mph (<16 km/h) | not allowed |
| Class 1 | 10 mph (16 km/h) | 15 mph (24 km/h) |
| Class 2 | 25 mph (40 km/h) | 30 mph (48 km/h) |
| Class 3 | 40 mph (64 km/h) | 60 mph (97 km/h) |
| Class 4 | 60 mph (97 km/h) | 80 mph (129 km/h) |
| Class 5 | 80 mph (129 km/h) | 90 mph (145 km/h) |
| Class 6 | 110 mph (177 km/h) | |
| Class 7 | 125 mph (201 km/h) | |
| Class 8 | 160 mph (257 km/h) | |
| Class 9 | 220 mph (354 km/h) | |
Canada
The track class speed limits are nearly identical to the speed limits set by the Federal Railway Administration in the United States. For further details check the Wikipedia page.
| Track type | Freight | Passenger |
|---|---|---|
| Excepted track | 10 mph (16 km/h) | Forbidden |
| Class 1 | 10 mph (16 km/h) | 15 mph (24 km/h) |
| Class 2 | 25 mph (40 km/h) | 30 mph (48 km/h) |
| Class 3 | 40 mph (64 km/h) | 60 mph (97 km/h) |
| Class 4 | 60 mph (97 km/h) | 80 mph (129 km/h) |
| Class 5 | 80 mph (129 km/h) | 95 mph (153 km/h) |
| Class 6 | 110 mph (177 km/h) | |
Track class in Europe
In Europe, this key is used to indicate the class of axle load and metre load as of the EN15528 directive.
The letter in first position indicates the axle load limit and the following number indicates the metre load limit. There are some variants such as the M in second position that refer to some particular German standards. There are also cases of the class followed by L, common in Italy, that refer to some punctual limitations of the speed, mostly on viaducts, even if the train is within the allowed class.
Usually, a wagon loaded to exceed the class of the railway can't be used and, unless with a special authorization, must be unloaded to comply with the railway limitations.
Some examples of codes:
| Class | Axle load | Metre load | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 16,0 t | 5,0 t/m | |
| B1 | 18,0 t | 5,0 t/m | |
| B2 | 6,4 t/m | ||
| C2 | 20,0 t | 6,4 t/m | |
| C3 | 7,2 t/m | ||
| C3L | Same as C3 but with possible limitations of speed in some points of the track[3] | ||
| C4 | 8,0 t/m | ||
| CE | 20,0 t | 8,0 t/m | German standard[4] |
| CM2 | 21,0 t | 6,4 t/m | |
| CM3 | 21,0 t | 7,2 t/m | |
| CM | 21,0 t | 8,0 t/m | |
| D2 | 22,5 t | 6,4 t/m | |
| D3 | 7,2 t/m | ||
| D4 | 8,0 t/m | Standard for many new railways in Europe and main freight corridors. | |
| D4L | Same as D4 but with possible limitations of speed in some points of the track[3] | ||
| E4 | 25,0 t | 8,0 t/m | Not yet in use |
| E5 | 8,8 t/m | Not yet in use | |
| F | 27,5 t | ||
| G | 30,0 t |
Further informations on the Wikipedia page (in German, or other languages, but currently not available in English)