FACTOID

Daily track capacity by the numbers

TWC-TRACK WARRANT CONTROL

ABS-AUTOMATIC BLOCK SIGNALS

CTC-CENTRALIZED TRAFFIC CONTROL

DARK-NO SIGNAL SYSTEM

CAPACITY EXPRESSED IN NUMBER OF TRAINS PER 24 HOUR PERIOD

SINGLE TRACK (TWC)/DARK  16-20

SINGLE TRACK  (TWC)/ABS 18-25

DOUBLE TRACK (TWC)/DARK 28-35

DOUBLE TRACK (TWC)/ABD 53-80

SINGLE TRACK (CTC) 30-48

TWO MAIN TRACK (CTC) 75-100

THREE MAIN TRACK (CTC) 133-163

Congestion begins at about 70% of capacity (first number).

Source:  BNSF Railway