Train speeds increasing at some Birmingham metro RR tracks

News release from Norfolk Southern:

To expedite the movement of freight trains through Birmingham, Midfield, Fairfield, Lipscomb, and Bessemer, Ala., Norfolk Southern Railway will increase maximum track speed at 27 highway-rail grade crossings beginning Monday, Sept. 28, 2009.
Train speeds at the following locations will increase in three increments from 30 mph to 50 mph on Sept. 28-29, 2009; from 50 mph to 60 mph on Oct. 12-13, and from 60 mph to 79 mph for passenger trains on Oct 26-27:  4th Place N, Center Street, 14th Place SW, 15th Place SW, 15th Way SW, Pearson/Jefferson, 17th Street SW, 17th Way SW, 24th Street SW, 31st Street SW, 40th Street SW, 50th Street SW, 54th Street SW, 15th Street, 5th Street S, 32nd Street, 20th Street, 19th Street, 18th Street, 16th Street, 15th Street, 14th Street – SR 150, 9th Street, 7th Street, 4th Street, 1st Street and Division Street.
Norfolk Southern has made track improvements to this 12-mile rail segment to allow for the increased train speeds.  These increases benefit the public by decreasing the time motorists wait for freight trains to pass through at-grade road crossings and improving railroad operating efficiency.  The crossing warning devices at these locations have been adjusted to activate for faster-moving trains. Norfolk Southern operates an average of 30-35 trains daily along this rail line.
The standard speed is 50 mph for freight trains carrying products such as coal, steel, automobiles, paper and other heavy goods, and 60 mph for intermodal trains hauling containers and trailers containing household goods, electronics, and food products. The maximum speed for passenger trains is 79 mph.
Motorists are reminded to obey railroad crossing signals and warnings and to use caution when approaching all highway-rail grade crossings.