Why are freight trains slower?

Freight trains are typically slower than passenger trains due to several key reasons associated with safety concerns and the nature of their operation on shared tracks:

1. Weight and Size: Freight trains are often long and carry a significant amount of weight, which limits their speed. They need to operate safely and efficiently, which is achieved at lower speeds 1.

2. Track Configuration: The infrastructure of railroads, particularly the curvature and elevation of tracks, plays a crucial role in dictating speed limits. For instance, passenger trains can navigate curves at higher speeds due to the design of super elevated tracks, which is not suitable for the heavier and slower-moving freight trains. Using the same track configurations for both can lead to safety risks, such as derailments 1.

3. Safety and Capacity: The mixing of passenger and freight trains on the same network creates a balance challenge. Faster passenger trains consume more capacity on tracks, potentially leading to traffic and safety management issues. Therefore, operational strategies typically prioritize steadier, slower speeds for freight to mitigate these risks and maintain a safe transport environment 2.

These operational and physical constraints necessitate that freight trains move at controlled, slower speeds to ensure safety and efficiency on the shared rail networks.